Viktor Bout arrives in NY

Bout's (centre) extradition follows a bruising diplomatic tug-of-war between the US and Russia that could jeopardise cooperation on arms control, nuclear weapons curbs and the war in Afghanistan. -- PHOTO: AP

NEW YORK - RUSSIAN arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout has landed at a suburban New York City airport after being extradited in manacles from Thailand.

A US law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that Bout landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh late on Tuesday. The official requested anonymity because of security concerns.

Bout's extradition follows a bruising diplomatic tug-of-war between the US and Russia that could jeopardise cooperation on arms control, nuclear weapons curbs and the war in Afghanistan.

Bout is a wealthy air cargo executive nicknamed the Merchant of Death by his critics. He's accused of arming failed states and insurgents across the Third World since the 1990s. He was arrested in 2008 in a sting operation led by US narcotics agents.

Bout says he's a legitimate businessman. Russian diplomats had asked Thailand to release him. -- AP

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