Thai court rejects U.S. extradition request for 'Merchant of Death'

CNN ^ | 11 Aug 2009 | Kocha Olarn and Dan Rivers

[BGHater]

A Thai court on Tuesday rejected the extradition of a man dubbed the "Merchant of Death", whom the U.S. government accuses of selling millions of dollars in weapons to Colombian rebels.

In rejecting the extradition request, the court said the case of Viktor Bout was politically motivated. U.S. authorities have 72 hours to decide whether to appeal. In the absence of an appeal, Bout will walk out of jail a free man.

[BGHater]

[HiTech RedNeck]

Too bad Dog blew it.

[La Lydia]

“Call for the CIA. Would the CIA please pick up the white courtesy phone in the lobby...”

[JRios1968]

THAILAND????

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Thailand’s pretty good about not extraditing people who have not committed crimes in the country accusing them as such. From what I’ve gathered, Thailand won’t hold you if you’re accused of breaking the laws of the US but have never been to the US.

Mean’s it’s also a good place to go if the World Court ever gets jurisdiction over US soldiers (which I believe the Obamassiah will grant). Accused of “war crimes” by France? Go to Thailand; they won’t extradite you if you didn’t commit those crimes in France.

FWIW, Thailand is one of the last monarchies, and the people by-and-large love the king (really, worship him). And the Thais have a long tradition of pushing back against the communists as well. Thais love their freedom, they love their land, and they love their king. As long as you don’t impinge on those three, they’re about the most open and wonderful and accepting people you’ll find!

[ASA Vet]

The plural of Thai is Thai.

[killjoy]

FWIW, Thailand is one of the last monarchies, and the people by-and-large love the king (really, worship him). And the Thais have a long tradition of pushing back against the communists as well. Thais love their freedom, they love their land, and they love their king. As long as you don’t impinge on those three, they’re about the most open and wonderful and accepting people you’ll find!

Yea, that's what all the tour guide books say too. Thailand also has the second highest number of IEDs in the world.

[ASA Vet]

Thai Ping

[USMCPOP]

“The plural of Thai is Thai.”

Dunno. I’m only married to one at the moment. :)

The Thai don’t use plural and singular like we do. They don’t say “we have many stupid politicians”. They would say “we have stupid politician, many people.”

[ASA Vet]

I've only been married to two of them, but not at the same time. After that I was engaged to two more of them, also not at the same time.
The current Mrs ASA Vet is not Thai, but true to my addiction is Asian.

[USMCPOP]

Wow, I don’t have that much energy left after being married for 31 years. Mine is of Vietnamese heritage, so at least I get two kinds of food. :)

[ASA Vet]

My first one was 30 years. The 2nd lasted only 4 years. She was just after the green card.
#3 and I will have been married 2 years this Oct. She's Filipina and very Catholic, so this one will be till my death. She's very much younger than me so I'll go with a smile on my face.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

“they love their king”

And their Queen. Happy Birthday, Queen.