The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it hoped the Thai court give a fair ruling on the extradition of alleged Russian arms dealer Victor Bout and allow him to return to Russia.
"We hope that the Thai Themis will make a just decision, fully in line with Thailand's legislation and the norms of international law, and that our compatriot will eventually be able to return home," the ministry's spokesman, Andrei Nesterenko, said in a statement on Monday.
The Bangkok Criminal Court rejected on Monday a U.S. request to drop a second set of charges against Bout, delaying his extradition.
Bout, 44, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 at the request of the United States. His extradition to the United States was ordered by the Thai appeals court on August 20, but was not carried out because the United States brought new charges against the Russian national in February.
In accordance with Thai law, Bout cannot be extradited until the second charges are brought to court.
The court decision on the second set of charges is expected on Tuesday afternoon.
Bout claims he has never been involved in the arms trade and that there was no evidence of his involvement in the business.
MOSCOW, October 4 (RIA Novosti)
