26 Feb 2020 10:11

Russian embassy in Washington urges State Dept. to reconsider Bout's harsh custody conditions

NEW YORK, the UN. Feb 26 (Interfax) - The Russian embassy in Washington has filed a note with the U.S. Department of State to call for cancelling "the unfoundedly harsh" custody conditions of Russian citizen Viktor Bout.

"Relevant notes of protest have been filed with the Department of State in connection with Bout's transfer to the special block of U.S. Penitentiary Marion, Illinois, and the imposition of additional restrictions. We have urged the U.S. authorities to lift the unfoundedly harsh measures," an embassy representative told Interfax on Wednesday.

According to the embassy, Russian diplomats are planning to visit incarcerated Bout in the near future.

Bout was detained in Bangkok on March 6, 2008, on counts of illegal arms trade, conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, and aiding and abetting terrorism. Thailand extradited Bout to the U.S. on November 16, 2010. He was given a 25-year sentence in 2012. The court found Bout guilty of an attempt to sell weapons to the left-wing radical group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that could be used to kill U.S. servicemen.

Bout pleaded not guilty and said he had been carrying out absolutely legitimate business in international air transportation.