Arms dealer will face Thai court first

BANGKOK, March 8 (UPI) -- Arms dealer Viktor Bout will face Thailand's legal system before potentially being extradited to either the United States or Russia to face more charges.

Thai officials plan to prosecute the so-called "Merchant of Death" on charges he allegedly provided terrorists with weapons or other assets, the Bangkok Post said Saturday.

Thailand's Crime Suppression Division is looking into the Russian arms dealer's business activities for evidence of such improprieties. Bout could face a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.

The Thai News Agency said police were granted an additional 12 days to question Bout on Saturday by a Criminal Court, which also denied the suspect release on bail.

While Thai authorities continue their case against Bout, both Russian and U.S. officials have asked that the arms dealer be extradited into their custody.

Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama met this week with a Russian ambassador and said a possible extradition may take place in the future.

Pattama also said Bout has not offered any statements to police regarding his alleged illegal dealings since being arrested this week, the Post reported.