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Arms suspect testifies in Bangkok Arms suspect testifies in Bangkok
(about 2 hours later)
Alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout has taken the stand in a Bangkok court for the first time, to fight extradition to the United States.Alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout has taken the stand in a Bangkok court for the first time, to fight extradition to the United States.
The Russian national has denied conspiring to arm Colombian rebels.The Russian national has denied conspiring to arm Colombian rebels.
"I didn't do anything wrong in Thailand. I have never been to Colombia or the United States," said Mr Bout."I didn't do anything wrong in Thailand. I have never been to Colombia or the United States," said Mr Bout.
The United States is seeking Mr Bout's extradition, after he was arrested in Thailand in March in a sting operation involving US agents.The United States is seeking Mr Bout's extradition, after he was arrested in Thailand in March in a sting operation involving US agents.
The extradition hearing started in June but has been repeatedly delayed by a high turnover of defence lawyers.The extradition hearing started in June but has been repeatedly delayed by a high turnover of defence lawyers.
Bangkok's Criminal Court has said it expects the hearing to be concluded by Wednesday, but one of Mr Bout's lawyers, Preecha Prasertsak, said he planned to seek an extension to locate more witnesses.Bangkok's Criminal Court has said it expects the hearing to be concluded by Wednesday, but one of Mr Bout's lawyers, Preecha Prasertsak, said he planned to seek an extension to locate more witnesses.
Mr Bout was arrested when US agents posed rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, and has remained behind bars in Bangkok ever since. Mr Bout was arrested when US agents posed as rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, and has remained behind bars in Bangkok ever since.
United Nations agencies and several Western governments have reported that Mr Bout has delivered arms to dictators and warlords in Africa and Afghanistan, allegedly breaking several UN arms embargoes in the process.United Nations agencies and several Western governments have reported that Mr Bout has delivered arms to dictators and warlords in Africa and Afghanistan, allegedly breaking several UN arms embargoes in the process.
He faces US charges of conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile. He could face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.He faces US charges of conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile. He could face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
His lawyer argues that Mr Bout would not receive a fair trial in the US, where officials say he supplied arms to dictators, al-Qaeda and the Taleban.His lawyer argues that Mr Bout would not receive a fair trial in the US, where officials say he supplied arms to dictators, al-Qaeda and the Taleban.
The man dubbed the "Merchant of Death" is being held in a maximum security prison outside Bangkok.The man dubbed the "Merchant of Death" is being held in a maximum security prison outside Bangkok.