Support The Moscow Times!

Bout Claims Rape Threat

NEW YORK — Suspected arms smuggler Viktor Bout said U.S. agents warned that he could face hunger, disease and rape in Thailand jails if he did not talk to them.

Bout made the claim in a court document filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan as his lawyers asked that charges against him be dropped.

Bout was extradited from Thailand last year to face conspiracy charges. He has pleaded not guilty. He was arrested in March 2008 at a Bangkok hotel.

Moscow has complained that his extradition was unlawful and political. His trial is set for Oct. 11.


… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more