[Jeffery]

The cheapest way in Thailand to lose weight is to get yourself arrested and sent to a Thai prison. The above pictures are of Viktor Bout taken about 11 months ago. His case is still going through the court system. The picture below is of his latest court appearance (one of many). You can see the difference quite clearly.

[StitlyDute]

Silly arms dealers, when will they learn that good diet and exercise will help them lose weight?

[VipInoLo]

well he may live a little longer now. but I think you got the date wrong in the last photo.

[TOD4wDTQ]

First 11 months seem to have done him good,

but I wonder about the next 11 will do to him.

[Jeffery]

I personally think he should be set free as from what I have read the arrest and consequent detention is completley illegal. I am surprised the judges didn't throw it out a long time ago. But then, as they hinted, there is a certain amount of political pressure here.

[UltraSearchs]

If he shaves his head and his moustache off he'll be looking like Harry in another month.

[casinobonyanes]

Isn't this dude the "inspiration" for the character in the cinematic masterpiece Lord of War with Nicolas Cage? Such an amazing character, this Bout guy.

[pprropeciaaa]

He is where he belongs - behind bars - many innocent people around the world are dead because of the illegal weapons he has sold.

[StitlyDute]

He is where he belongs - behind bars - many innocent people around the world are dead because of the illegal weapons he has sold.

Yet as Nicholas Cage explains, the US, UK, Russia and China are the biggest arms manufacturers in the world, and they do so knowing full-well that their weapons are the ones that arms dealers sell.

[CealialactBek]

Now I wonder what kind of Thai food they currently serve in prisons.

From the look of him, he must have missed peljmeni and vodka so much.

Anybody here knows what was the last verdict he was given? If he's in a death row he may have his 'last vodka' soon.

[Jeffery]

He is still awaiting trial one year later. The defence haven't called their witnesses. He says he was set up by the Americans who were operating on Thai soil. To be precise here, he hasn't committed any crime on Thai soil that has been proven so far.

[metropropuskruww]

It is a pity that a lot of people are swayed by hype and news. Over the years I have learnt that there are more than two sides to all stories and to assume guilt before a person has had a fair trial is extremley unjust and dangerous.

Detention without trial or detention awaiting trial is contrary to all human rights and a right to speedy justice should be afforded to all people.

I am not judging this case but the rhetoric used sometimes lacks compassion and people are quick to believe in the propaganda and sensationalism thrown at people, particularly in Thailand.

If people are guilty of serious crimes, let it be proven first in a fair trial and then if it is so, let them rot!

However, until then everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt and treated like human beings.

Give all accused their day in court and a right to fair and speedy justice.

Remember Guantanamo !!

[pprropeciaaa]

It is a pity that a lot of people are swayed by hype and news. Over the years I have learnt that there are more than two sides to all stories and to assume guilt before a person has had a fair trial is extremley unjust and dangerous.

I can't say that I disagree with you at least from a legal perspective. In the USA when someone is arrested and charged with a crime - one of the first procedings will be to determine if he will be allowed bail or not - pending his trial. In many cases the judge will deny bail for one reason or another - all within the legal system. So if someone is denied bail - is that a presumption of guilt?
I guess my point is - if the judicial systems can form opinions such as denying or granting of bail - why can't I have an opinion? - after all - mine doesn't really count - just an opinion.

[metropropuskruww]

Touche !!

I agree and in fact we all have opinions based on the "facts" as they are presented to us at the time. It's just that often the "facts" are not in fact that but the opinion of some over zealous news reporters, or other parties furthering their own ambitions. To me, a year in prison without a trial is beyond humane, and in particular a third world prison.

I am of South African origin and I can tell you that for many years we all "believed" that Nelson Mandela was a terrorist and should be hanged!! This was based on opinions and propaganda.

Looking back now we all realise what a great man he is and how much worse the world and in particular Africa would have been without him.

So when forming opinions I try to use the information available to me but also try to assess (with difficulty of course) what information is NOT available.

nuff said !!

[Jeffery]

Thailand refuses to extradite 'Merchant of Death'
Writer: AFP
Published: 11/08/2009 at 04:00 PM

A Thai court on Tuesday rejected a request by the United States for the extradition of Viktor Bout, an alleged Russian arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death".

"The Thai court has agreed to dismiss the case," judge Jitakorn Patanasiri said in a surprise decision that comes almost a year-and-a-half after Bout was arrested in a sting operation at a Bangkok hotel.

Bout, who is said to have inspired the Hollywood film "Lord of War" starring Nicolas Cage, was held on charges that he peddled weapons, including to Al-Qaeda, that were used in some of the world's most violent conflicts.

[VipInoLo]

He will probably live longer now that he has lost all this weight, You can be assured the Americans will be keeping tabs on this guy.

[UltraSearchs]

When he last appeared in court just a few days ago for his latest extradition hearing, the judge asked for a clarification from the foreign affairs ministry because the judge himself was not sure of the legality of the case.

Viktor Bout made an interesting comment on Thai jails, saying the conditions were worse than in Guantanamo Bay! Well I guess at least those in Guantanamo do get proper food, not so many people to a cell (solitary even) and probably good medical care from what I've read.

[TOD4wDTQ]

He will probably live longer now that he has lost all this weight, You can be assured the Americans will be keeping tabs on this guy.

Well I assume Pentagon or Halliburton wont renew his contracts in Iraq

[ireleda]

Very funny post