Suspect Russian arm dealer rejects plea bargain

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout said on Sunday he had refused a plea bargain with the US authorities in his first public comments after his extradition to the United States in November.

Russian state-owned RIA Novosti news agency published Bout's remarks he sent via a Russian embassy official in the US   

"I was offered a milder sentence, lower prison term and a possibility to bring my family to the US if I tell everything I know about my ties in Russia and other countries," Bout said.     

"But I answered that I had nothing to tell about, I don't know anything they are interested in."                                           

Bout was flown to New York in November from Thailand, where he had been the focus of a tug-of-war between Russia and the United States since his March 2008 arrest in a US-led sting operation. 

Bout, a former Soviet air force officer, could be imprisoned for life if convicted on US terrorism and arms trafficking charges.   

In November, a Russian diplomat said US authorities pressured him to admit guilt. Russia has said it "has nothing to hide" from the US in the Bout case.     

Bout, 43, faces four conspiracy charges over arms dealing since the 1990s to dictators and conflict zones in Africa, South America and the Middle East -- allegations that inspired the Hollywood movie "Lord of War" starring Nicholas Cage.