Russia to Ask U.S. for Bout

Russia is planning to ask the United States to hand over convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout so that he can serve out the remainder of his 25-year prison term on home soil, the Justice Ministry said.

Bout, who was sentenced earlier this year, says he was a legitimate businessman, and the Foreign Ministry has argued he was convicted on unreliable evidence on the basis of "a political order."

The Justice Ministry said late last week that it had filed a formal request to the United States asking its counterpart to provide it with a copy of Bout's verdict, which would allow it to start the transfer process if the U.S. side agreed.

(Reuters)

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