Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout walks back to the court cell at criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand after a hearing on extradition to the U.S. charge Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Thailand said Wednesday it will not interfere in the politically charged extradition hearing of an alleged Russian arms smuggler whom the United States wants to put on trial but Russia wants sent home. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)From Yahoo News/AP:
BANGKOK – Thailand said Wednesday that it will not interfere in the extradition hearing of an alleged Russian arms smuggler whom the United States wants to put on trial but Russia reportedly wants sent home.
A senior Foreign Ministry official was called to testify at the ongoing hearing of Viktor Bout, dubbed the "Merchant of Death," after the presiding judge said he wanted the ministry's input because relations with Washington and Moscow could be at risk.
Read more ....
My Comment: Thailand is between a rock and a hard place .... both Russia and the U.S. want this arms merchant (but for different reasons). I still expect him to be extradited to the U.S., what happens with U.S. and Russian relations after that will be anyone's guess.