Wife denies husband is 'Merchant of Death' arms dealer

The wife of alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout testified today that he is an “honest” businessman who ran a legitimate air cargo business.

Bout, 42, a former Soviet air force officer dubbed “The Merchant of Death,” is reputed to be one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers.

He was arrested in Bangkok in March 2008 and faces extradition to the United States in a hearing that is scheduled to end this week.

His wife – Alla Bout, who identified herself as a 45-year-old fashion designer - supported his claim that he has done nothing wrong.

“I believe my husband does honest business,” she told the court. “We have been together 17 years. There is no reason for me to believe he has done anything illegal.”

Bout was arrested in Bangkok after a sting operation involving US agents who posed as rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC - classified as a terrorist organisation by the US.

US prosecutors say Bout was offering a deadly arsenal of weapons, including more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of guns, high-tech helicopters, and airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and missiles.

He has been indicted on four terrorism-related charges in New York, and could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

When asked what her husband did for a living, Bout’s wife said: “He is in the aviation transport business.”

She said the couple lived in South Africa for several years but moved back to Russia in 2001 when Bout’s business went bankrupt because of growing competition. She did not immediately say what her husband has done for work more recently.

Bout’s lawyer, Lak Nitiwatanavichan, told reporters that his cargo business transported “food, rice, meat, all kinds of things”.

Bout – who is generally believed to be a model for the arms dealer portrayed by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 movie 'Lord of War' – has repeatedly denied any involvement in illicit activities.

At a hearing earlier this month, he angrily accused the United States of framing him and pressuring Thailand to extradite him.

He has long been linked to some of the world’s most notorious conflicts, allegedly supplying arms to former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor and Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.