Russia to seek repatriation of alleged arms dealer

Russia had sought repatriation of its citizen Victor Bout, who is facing extradition to the United States from Thailand over claims of arms trafficking, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.

"We were in contact with his (Bout's) lawyers and I assure you we will continue to do everything we can to repatriate Bout," Lavrov was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Bout, 44, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 under a request from the United States. The former Russian air force officer was accused of illegally trading arms but has repeatedly denied the accusations.

A Thai appeals court ruled Friday that Bout, who is being held in a Thai prison, could be extradited to the United States. Lavrov said the decision was politically motivated.

"We regret the, in my opinion, illegal and politically motivated decision, made today by the Thai appeals court," he said.

Just hours before the court's decision, the U.S. authorities filed new charges of money laundering, telegraph and internet-mediated money transfer fraud, and violating the U.S. president's sanctions against Bout.

Bout's lawyer said the new charges might prevent the extradition as a new case could be opened.

According to Thai law and an extradition agreement between Thailand and the United States, Bout must be handed over to the United States within three months of the announcement of the court ruling.

Source: Xinhua