Appeals court unreceptive to claims by Russian arms dealer

Appeals court unreceptive to claims by Russian arms dealer | iNFOnews.ca
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2010, file photo, suspected Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, center, is led by armed Thai police commandoes as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand. The latest effort to nullify the conviction Bout has met an unreceptive audience of U.S. appeals court judges. All three judges on a panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hearing an appeal on behalf of Bout expressed skepticism Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, about his claims of unfair prosecution. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File)

NEW YORK – The latest effort to nullify the conviction of a notorious Russian arms dealer dubbed the Merchant of Death has met an unreceptive audience of U.S. appeals court judges.

All three judges on a New York City panel hearing an appeal on behalf of Viktor Bout (boot) expressed skepticism Monday about his unfair prosecution claims.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel heard arguments on the new challenge to Bout’s conviction and 25-year prison sentence. It did not immediately rule.

The ex-Soviet military officer was extradited to the United States in 2010 and convicted in 2011.

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