Russian businessman Viktor Bout, due to be extradited from Thailand to the United States on arms trafficking charges, has been transferred to an isolation cell.
The former Russian army officer, Viktor Bout, 44, 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.
In August 2009, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled in Bout's favor, denying the U.S. extradition request due to a lack of evidence and because it believed the case to be politically motivated. However, the United States appealed the ruling and filed new charges against him.
The Thai Appeals Court ruled on Friday to extradite Bout to the United States.
"I'm not going to give up, I will fight to the end, here or in America," Bout said.
Bout said he feels well but cannot eat the prison food as it is too spicy.
"They make compromises, bring what I want, but these are exceptions and only two times a day," he said. "So far, I am not permitted walks or phone calls, but I was promised to be allowed in a few days."
Bout was transferred to an isolation cell. The prison's administration cites security reasons for the transfer.
"I scrubbed and cleaned my isolation cell," Bout said. "[I] killed some 20 cockroaches. There is no bed in the cell as in all Thai prisons inmates sleep on floor mats on the concrete floor."
The Russian embassy has asked the prison's administration to transfer Bout to a common cell, organize walks and create conditions for proper nutrition, Russia's Consul to Thailand Andrei Dvornikov said.
He added that they have also appealed to the prison authorities to allow Bout daily visits from his wife.
Russia will seek the repatriation of Bout, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week.
Lavrov called Friday's verdict illegal and politically motivated.
The United States brought new charges against Bout on Friday just hours before the court made its final decision.
According to the new extradition request, Bout and his former business partner, U.S. citizen Richard Chichakli, are accused of money laundering, telegraph and internet-mediated money transfer fraud, and violating the U.S. president's sanctions against them.
In accordance with Thai law and an extradition agreement between Thailand and the United States, Bout must be handed over to the U.S. side within three months after the announcement of the sentence.
However, Bout's lawyer said that the new charges could prevent the extradition as a new case may have to be opened in Thailand.
He said he respected the court's decision but would petition the Thai government to block the extradition.
The Court of Appeals has the final say on extradition cases in Thailand. Its decisions are not subject to further appeal.
BANGKOK, August 23 (RIA Novosti)
