BANGKOK (AP) — Accused Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout has left Thailand after his extradition to the United States was approved by the government.
Police Col. Supisarn Bhakdinarinath, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, confirmed Bout’s departure at about 1:30 p.m. (0630 GMT; 1:30 a.m. EST).
Bout faces terrorism charges in the United States linked to his alleged arms dealing. He was detained in Bangkok in March 2008, and the Thai Cabinet approved his extradition Tuesday after a long legal battle.