Final appeal looms for Bout

THAILAND is giving its final ruling on Friday whether to extradite infamous arms smuggler, Viktor Bout, to the US.

“I have been informed by officials that the court will make a ruling this Friday,” said his lawyer, Lak Nittiwattanawichan. “Whatever the decision is, we will respect it.”

Thailand has been caught in a heated tug of war between Russia and the US over who will get Bout. Both countries are massive trading partners to Thailand so this final appeal will have a significant effect on imports and exports for several years to come.

The US is no doubt hoping that if it gets Bout that it can strong arm him into informing on other air cargo arms smugglers, in return for leniency.