The United States made an attempt to snatch Russian alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was due to be extradited from Thailand, without appropriate legal permits, Thai Bangkok Post daily said on Wednesday.
Thai English-language daily the Nation said on Tuesday that Bout, suspected by Washington of arms trafficking, would be extradited on Wednesday, though neither Thai authorities nor nor the Russian Foreign Ministry was aware of the United States' urgent extradition plans.
On Wednesday, a U.S. jet landed at the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to snatch Bout to the United States.
However, Bout's extradition to the United States was delayed "because of legal complications," Bangkok Post daily cited Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying.
"It is not today. There are several steps in the legal process," Abhisit told the paper.
The U.S. embassy refused to comment on Wednesday morning's failed handover, saying the U.S. Department of Justice was dealing with the case.
On February 17, the United States brought charges against Bout, accusing him of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the U.S. federal law that prohibits the export of goods, technologies or services that pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat... to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States."
According to Thai law, extradition should be carried out within three months. However, the same law says the extradition of a subject, who is being investigated on different charges in Thailand, cannot take place until the case is complete.
Hearings on the second round of charges are scheduled for October 4. This means Bout must appear in front of the court and not be allowed to leave the country until the new charges are finalized.
BANGKOK, August 25 (RIA Novosti)
