Thailand extradites FARC-linked ‘arms dealer’

Thailand extradited an alleged Russian arms dealer who was caught when he was about to do business with undercover U.S. intelligence officials posing as FARC guerrillas.

Russian Viktor Bout was put on a plane to the United States after a Thai court approved Washington’s extradition request.

The Russian is suspected of having trafficked arms to numerous governments and illegal armed groups, including the FARC to which he indirectly sold 10,000 AK-47s in 1999.

Bout was arrested in March 2008 in a Bangkok hotel after he was fooled to believe he was about to sell sophisticated weapons to Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, with which had not directly done business before.

Bout will be facing terrorism charges in the U.S.

Related posts

Colombia’s prosecution confirms plea deal with jailed former UNGRD chiefs

Arsonists set home of Colombia’s land restitution chief on fire

Colombia and Russia “reactivate” bilateral ties