WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The United States has decided against returning convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout to his home in Russia, the State Department said Friday.
"I don't think that we have the basis to do that, but I know that the ambassador will continue to discuss this problem with authorities," Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman told the Moscow radio station Ekho Moskvy, RIA Novosti reported.
Bout, a former Soviet air force officer dubbed the "Merchant of Death," was convicted by a federal jury in New York last week of peddling military weapons to undercover agents he believed were Colombian rebels who wanted to kill U.S. soldiers.
Bout, who was found guilty of conspiring to kill Americans, exporting anti-aircraft missiles and aiding terrorists, could receive life in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 8.
The Russia Foreign Ministry has requested Bout be returned to Moscow.
"I am waiting for the official reply from the American side," Russian Foreign Ministry human rights envoy Konstantin Dolgov said. "We think that the United States must review its position and Bout must return to Russia."
