Financial Times FT.com

Ex-Soviet officer escapes US extradition

By Tim Johnston in Bangkok and Catherine Belton in Moscow

Published: August 11 2009 10:10 | Last updated: August 11 2009 10:52

Viktor Bout, the former Soviet intelligence officer suspected of arms trafficking on four continents, has won the first stage of his battle to avoid extradition from Thailand to the US on charges of offering to supply weapons to Colombian rebels.

Mr Bout, 42, has been in prison in Bangkok for over a year after being caught in a sting operation by US Drug Enforcement Agency officers posing as Colombian Farc rebels.

You have viewed your allowance of free articles. If you wish to view more, click the button below.

Read this