A Thai court has dismissed money-laundering and fraud charges against Viktor Bout, the alleged Russian arms smuggler, removing the last legal obstacle for his extradition to the US where he is wanted on "terrorism" charges.
The former Soviet air force officer could soon be sent to the US, where he is accused of trafficking weapons to dictators and conflict zones across the world since the 1990s.
It is now up to Thailand's government to decide whether the man nicknamed "The Merchant of Death" will be extradited to the country, which has been seeking his extradition for more than two years and where he may face life in prison if convicted.
Aela Callan reports from Bangkok, Thailand's capital.
[October 5, 2010]