Moscow summons Thai ambassador over 'Merchant of Death'

11 Apr, 2008 11:33 / Updated 16 years ago

Thai ambassador has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over violation of rights of an alleged arms trader Viktor Bout, dubbed by the media as the 'Merchant of Death'. Earlier this week Russia’s Foreign Ministry pledged it would protect Bout’s r

Washington is seeking Bout's extradition on charges of illegal weapons deals with militant groups, including the Taliban and al-Qaeda, in the Middle East and African countries.  Bout was detained in Thailand in early March on suspicion of helping terrorists. He said he came to the country on holiday and was set to be released on Wednesday as no official charges had been brought against him by Thai authorities. But Bout's freedom was shortlived, and his fate is now vague.