The man described as the world's most notorious arms smuggler faces extradition to the US on terrorism charges when he appears in a Thai court today.
Viktor Bout, 41, a Russian dubbed the Merchant of Death, appeared shackled hand and foot at the Bangkok court. He wore prison-issue orange shorts and T-shirt with the number 8 chalked on the back.
Bout was seized at a Bangkok luxury hotel in March in the culmination of a year-long sting by US agents. He said nothing as he arrived for the hearing, which had been repeatedly delayed.
His defence lawyer, Preecha Prasertsak, announced he had petitioned the court to dismiss the proceedings on four terrorism conspiracy counts filed in the US on the grounds the former Soviet air force officer had been held illegally.
The judges adjourned for 30 minutes but then said they would consider Preecha's appeal at another hearing to be fixed later. "My client is innocent," Preecha said.
Bout has denied any wrongdoing. He has long been one of the world's most wanted men for arms smuggling. He has a reputation for busting UN weapons embargoes to supply infamous warlords like Liberia's Charles Taylor.
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