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The lawyer of the alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on Friday filed an appeal against the Criminal Court's decision to drop charges of money laundering and wire fraud against Bout.

Victor Bout(L)

The court's decision removed the legal obstacle to the long- awaited extradition of Bout to the United States, which initially charged the so-called "Merchant of Death" with supporting terrorism and conspiracy of killing U.S. nationals and then added more charges concerning money-laundering and fraud in order to make sure Bout would not be released by Thai court.

The appeal, filed by lawyer Lak Nitiwattanawicharn, was made in the hope that the charges of money-laundering and fraud would be reinstated, allowing Bout to spend longer in Thailand and delay the extradition.

The Appeal Court on Aug 20 approved Bout's extradition to the US to stand trial on terrorism-related charges which could land him in prison for life.

The extradition was supposed to take place within 90 days after the verdict. However, the appeal filed Friday could extend the legal battle in Thailand beyond November 20.

Sirisak Tiyaphan, chief of the international affairs office of the Office of the Attorney-General said on Thursday that his office planned to seek an extension of the extradition period in case Bout appeals.

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