Bout Appears at Extradition Hearings in Bangkok

Bout, 41, was arrested at a luxury hotel in Bangkok in March after a joint sting operation conducted by U.S. and Thai police in which agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency posed as members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). According to U.S. , Bout at the meeting offered to supply the agents with an array of surface-to-air missiles, guns, helicopters and aircraft capable of firing missiles.

FARC is listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. government. If tried in the U.S., Bout would be tried for conspiring to kill U.S. citizens and for providing material support to terrorists.

At the hearing, Bout's defense lawyer Preecha Prasertak asked the court to dismiss the four terrorism charges filed in the U.S., claiming that Bout had been held illegally. After adjourning for 30 minutes, the court said it would address Preecha's petition at a future hearing?

Bout's extradition process had been delayed since June, when his first defense lawyer in the case failed to appear for a hearing, complaining of heart trouble. Bout's next lawyer failed to appear at a hearing scheduled in July, citing work conflicts.

Since his arrest, Bout has maintained his innocence, calling the charges “fabricated American accusations.