Viktor Bout in Tailand Hearings for Extradition to the US

Thailand's criminal court must decide whether there is enough evidence to extradite the man dubbed the "Merchant of Death" to the United States, where he could face life in prison.

Bout, arrested in Bangkok in March after a sting operation conducted by US agents and Thai police, entered the courtroom Friday in leg shackles and an orange prison-issue outfit.
He looked on as his lawyers cross-examined a witness from Thailand's interior ministry about the legality of his detention and extradition.

"This afternoon, we will continue to question witnesses to prove that Mr. Bout is illegally detained," Thai defence lawyer Chamroen Panompakakorn said.

During an undercover operation, Bout allegedly agreed to supply surface-to-air missiles to US anti-drug agents posing as rebels from Colombia's Marxist FARC group, which Washington considers a terrorist organisation.

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