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Viktor Bout sues REN-TV channel

Viktor Bout, imprisoned in the United Sates on charges of arms smuggling, has filed a lawsuit against Moscow-based REN-TV channel

MOSCOW, April 9 (Itar-Tass) - Russian citizen Viktor Bout, imprisoned in the United Sates on charges of arms smuggling, has filed a lawsuit against Moscow-based REN-TV channel, claiming one million dollars in damages for infringement on his honor and dignity, a spokeswoman for the Moscow Khamvniki district court told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.

The lawsuit filed by Viktor Bout who claims one million dollars in moral damages has been delivered to the Khamovniki court, the spokeswoman said.

Viktor Bout is among the characters featured in a film titled "The Russian Mafia Abroad" which was run on REN-TV. Bout has also demanded that REN-TV should refute the falsehoods about him spread from the TV screen.

Court hearings into the lawsuit will be appointed in the near future, the spokeswoman said.

Viktor Bout was arrested in Bangkok on a U.S. warrant in March 2008 and extradited to the U.S. authorities in November 2010. A year later a twelve-strong jury at the New York Federal Court unanimously ruled him guilty of a conspiracy with the aim of arms sale to a group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In April 2012 Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Bout's lawyers denied Bout's involvement in the alleged weapons deal with the FARC or any plans to assassinate U.S. citizens. The only purpose of Bout's visit to Bangkok in March 2008 was to make a deal on sale of two cargo planes, rather than meet the alleged FARC representatives in Bangkok, the Russian side said.

Russia has repeatedly declared that Bout's extradition to the United States was illegal, not backed by proper court sanctions. The Russian Foreign Ministry continues to press ahead for Bout's extradition to Russia.

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