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Bout's wife says alleged arms dealer was kidnapped, not extradited

© RIA NovostiRussian businessman Viktor Bout
Russian businessman Viktor Bout - Sputnik International
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Russian businessman Viktor Bout was extradited from Thailand to the United States last year without the proper procedures being followed, so he was in effect kidnapped, his wife said on Friday.

Russian businessman Viktor Bout was extradited from Thailand to the United States last year without the proper procedures being followed, so he was in effect kidnapped, his wife said on Friday.

Alla Bout said in an interview with Russia Today television channel that her husband's Thai lawyer could not find any extradition documents.

"Nobody signed any documents, no written extradition permission was given. So, he was merely kidnapped," she said.

Former Soviet military translator Bout was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 during a sting operation led by U.S. agents. He was extradited to the United States last November after spending more than two and half years in Thai prisons.

He is currently in New York awaiting a trial on arms supply charges. If convicted, Bout could face anything from 25 years to life in prison.

Bout's family arrived in New York in early January to support him during the court proceedings. Alla, her daughter and mother-in-law were detained in the airport by immigration officers, who questioned them for two hours. Bout said she was not allowed to contact the Russian consul.

She told the TV channel that she was afraid that U.S. officials could put her under official pressure. "Any measure can be taken, right up to arrest."

She also expressed doubts that she would be allowed back into the United States if she left the country. "There are rumors that they can simply refuse me entry," she said.

MOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti)

 

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