Arms supplier to the Taliban tried in Bangkok

A suspect traders Taliban origin weapons to Russia, Viktor Bout (41), Monday (22/12), tried the first time in Bangkok. He confessed dijebak and does not ask for diekstradisi to the United States.

Bout activities concerning sale and purchase of weapons has made the film with the title Lord of War of 2005, which dibintangi Nicolas Cage. UN menuduhnya had violated regulations concerning weapons trade. In 2000, Bout to fly to East Timor a plane carrying international peacekeeping troops.

Viktor Bout allegedly sold weapons to several areas of conflict. However, he had to rebut Colombia to supply movement gerilyawan Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).

"I dijebak. I did not commit a crime, not to make a terrorist action, "said the suspect put the orange inmate uniforms.

Bout arrested in Bangkok, 6 March 2008, operating through the scrim by agents the United States and Thai police. Bout diekstradisi want the U.S. to the U.S.. Bout court fight that Thailand does not meet that. He is facing the threat of a life sentence if sent to the U.S., which claims the action Bout terrorism.

The former Soviet Air Force officer was not, why the U.S. has never previously submitted his letter of catching up to Russia if you want to mendakwanya. "They have my rope. U.S. did not want to Thai-Russian relations develop, "he said.

"Traders Death"

When asked whether he had pengacaranya sell weapons to the FARC, Bout rebut. "I never met with FARC, never go to Colombia," he said.

Since arrested, Bout arrested in berpenjagaan maximum prison outside the city of Bangkok. He was allegedly involved in the global arms trade since 1990s. He is believed to supply weapons to the Taliban militia, Al Qaeda terrorist network, and former President of Liberia Charles Taylor.

Nickname "Death Merchants" ditorehkan by former British Foreign Minister Jack Straw to him. Nickname is written in a book in 2007 containing allegations about the activities of Bout.

On the court, Bout a Russian speaking states, he is the business aviation sector and construction. Bout, said he was to travel to Bangkok for recreation and Thailand meet a businessman who wanted to buy some aircraft.

In the previous trial, a U.S. agency said, institution formed task force to pursue Bout from Russia to penangkapannya in Thailand. (AP / AFP / OKI)


Source: Kompas