The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

A Thai court on Tuesday denied bail to Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, worried the man known as the "Merchant of Death" for his alleged ties to the criminal underworld would leave the country. Bout was arrested last week in an elaborate sting operation by Thai police and US agents, and held on charges of conspiring to provide arms to Colombian rebels. He is incarcerated at a maximum security prison in Bangkok. "The suspect is accused of being involved in international terrorism," said a statement from the criminal court seen by AFP. "This is a serious case and he may leave the country, so the court is not allowing the bail for the suspect." Lak Nitiwatvichan, Bout's Thai lawyer, insisted that his client was an innocent citizen and had not broken the law in any country. "We had put 500,000 baht cash (16,000 dollars) up for bail, the court denied the request," he said. "We will prove that he is not involved with any group, any gang like Al-Qaeda and (extremist organisation) Jemaah Islamiyah."