Several national Thai TV channels launched a coordinated media attack against Viktor Bout on Friday after a court ruled the Russian businessman should be extradited from Thailand to the United States on arms trafficking charges.
Evening news reports on channels 3, 5 and 7 referred to Bout as "a former KGB worker," "an internationally-known arms dealer," and "a dealer working with the Taliban and terrorists all over the world".
Earlier on Friday, the Thai Appeals Court ruled to extradite Bout to the United States on weapons smuggling and other charges. Bout is to be handed over to the U.S. side within three months.
Channel 5, which is owned by the Royal Thai Army, reported "the pleasant, satisfying news" that "the globally renowned arms dealer, Viktor Bout, arrested two years ago by the honorable Thai police officers together with their friends and colleagues from the United States, will be finally sent to the United States".
The 44-year-old former Russian army officer was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 under a request from the United States, which accuses him of illegally trading arms. He has repeatedly denied the accusations.
None of the news reports said Bout had not been found guilty of any crime or told viewers that the court ruling was solely on the merits of the extradition case and did not consider whether Bout was innocent or guilty of the charges filed in the United States. RIA Novosti
