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Thais Nab 'Merchant of Death'

Russian arms dealer may face US trial for supplying terror groups worldwide

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Mar 6, 2008 5:18 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Russian arms dealer branded "the merchant of death" was apprehended in Thailand today after US intelligence linked him to Colombia rebels, the New York Times reports. Viktor Bout is on international most-wanted lists for allegedly using his private air fleet to supply al Qaeda and the Taliban—plus war-torn African countries—with weapons. The US plans to seek his extradition.

The former Soviet air force officer built his arms-trafficking empire by founding international cargo transport companies to smuggle weapons out of the former USSR. He denies trading with the Taliban, but he and an associate face charges of providing terrorists with material support, the Times reports. But "things snowball when they start talking about him," said his associate.

Thai police escort Russian Viktor Bout, center, as he arrives at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested Thursday in Bangkok on allegations that he supplied Colombian rebels with arms and...
Thai police escort Russian Viktor Bout, center, as he arrives at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms...   (Associated Press)
Russian Viktor Bout sits at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau following his arrest in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested Thursday in Bangkok on allegations that he supplied Colombian rebels with arms and explosives, Thai police...
Russian Viktor Bout sits at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau following his arrest in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested...   (Associated Press)
Russian Viktor Bout sits at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau following his arrest in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested Thursday in Bangkok on allegations that he supplied Colombian rebels with arms and explosives, Thai police...
Russian Viktor Bout sits at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau following his arrest in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested...   (Associated Press)
Thai police escort Russian Viktor Bout as he arrives at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was arrested Thursday in Bangkok on allegations that he supplied Colombian rebels with arms and explosives,...
Thai police escort Russian Viktor Bout as he arrives at the head of the Crime Suppression Bureau in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday March 6, 2008. Bout, one of the world's most notorious arms dealers was...   (Associated Press)
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More on Bout's role in Africa's civil wars
PBS

A profile of Bout
BBC

 
Colombia • Sierra Leone • Liberia • arms • Rwanda • FARC • weapons • Victor Bout • arms trafficking • Richard Chichakli • Viktor Bout • Merchant of Death

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