U.S. Attempts to Extradite Viktor Bout, Accused Arms Dealer, From Thailand

The U.S. government continued their attempts to extradite accused arms dealer Viktor Bout from Thailand today. U.S. Deputy Attorney General David Ogden told the Thai government that trying Bout in American courts is "a matter of great importance to the United States."

Accused arms dealer Viktor Bout. (Getty Images)
Bout, a former officer in the Russian army, was nicknamed the "Merchant of Death." He is charged with selling millions of dollars to warlords in South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The U.S. wants to charge Bout with supplying weapons to a terrorist organization, after Bout allegedly sold arms to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which the U.S. government classifies as a terrorist organization. However, Russia also want to extradite and try Bout in Moscow. Experts say that Bout has worked for Russian intelligence, and they are reluctant to let the man go on trial in America.