BANGKOK — The Thai government extradited accused Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout to the United States on Tuesday to face terrorism charges, rejecting heavy pressure from Moscow for him to be freed.
In a surprise move, the Thai Cabinet officially acknowledged the U.S. extradition request, clearing the last hurdle for the 43-year-old Russian to board a plane in Bangkok at about 1:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m. ET) in the custody of eight U.S. officials.
Dozens of policemen and masked commandos guarded the entrance of Bangkok’s maximum-security Bangkwang prison where Bout had been detained.
He was taken from prison in a speeding van with darkened windows, escorted by several security vehicles.
Full Story: Thailand extradites ‘merchant of death’ to U.S. – World news – Asia-Pacific – msnbc.com
