Bout wants panel to consider his case

He handed a five-page letter handwritten in English and told the House committee his wife had told the truth at her recent press conference and he had nothing to do with former pre?mier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs Torpong Chaiyasarn said after meeting with Bout, which lasted more than three hours, that the Russian suspect confirmed that Democrat Songkhla MP Sirichoke Sopha, a close-aide to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, met him on April 15 and gave him his mobile phone number.

Torpong said he would have to wait for a Corrections Department inspection before he could reveal the contents of the letter. However, he said part of it said Bout did not know Thaksin personally and had no involvement in Thai affairs.

"Viktor called on the Thai government to not link his case with politics and to follow the laws strictly. He insists he is innocent, and that he is now only a suspect. He also asked the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to handle his case," Torpong said.

He said he had learnt that information from Bout and Sirichoke was contradictory. But he believed he would learn the truth once the committee summons Sirichoke on Wednesday.

Sirichoke said yesterday he was ready to clarify matters with the committee. He said he still questioned Bout's information but Torpong had believed what Bout said instantly, which was "too soon".

Torpong and his deputy, Thitima Chaisaeng, were accompanied by Russian Counsellor and Consul to Thailand Andrey Dvornikov and a Russian-language trans-lator while visiting Bout in jail. However, no government MP joined.

Torpong said some govern-ment MPs had said they would attend but none showed up in time.

Corrections Department director-general Chartchai Suthiklom said he did not join the meeting but just checked on the process. If Bout's letter did violate any laws, it would be publicised.