MOSCOW (AP) — An American indicted in the United States with accused arms trafficker Viktor Bout called the charges "lies" on Friday, and vowed to return home from Russia to challenge them in court.
Richard Chichakli told The Associated Press in Moscow that his indictment by federal prosecutors in New York was "absurd" and "crazy." But he said was determined to contest them.
"I'm not asking for mercy," he said. "If I made a mistake, hang me."
The conspiracy and wire fraud charges filed Wednesday against Chichakli relate to allegations that a Bout-connected firm based in Tajikistan sought to buy two Boeing aircraft in 2007. The purchase was allegedly in violation of U.N. and U.S. sanctions aimed at halting the flow of arms to war zones in Africa.
Bout has denied the charges through his attorney in Thailand, where he is currently fighting extradition to the U.S.
He was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 at the request of the U.S., which charged him with attempting to smuggle arms to insurgents in Colombia. Bout denies those charges as well.
A British official dubbed Bout "The Merchant of Death" because of his 1990s-era notoriety for running a fleet of aging Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict-ridden hotspots in Africa.
Chichakli of Richardson, Texas, told the AP that he believes the case against him is part of an effort to pressure him to testify against Bout. "The U.S. made up this case for one simple reason," Chichakli said. "To get to Viktor Bout."
Chichakli said he has been a friend of Bout's for 15 years, but has never worked for him in any capacity.
"I have never done business with Viktor Bout," Chichakli said. Bout has never paid him anything, he said, and "I challenge anyone to prove otherwise."
Chichakli said he was willing to stand trial, even though Russia has no extradition treaty with the U.S.
"I do intend to return to the United States. I do intend to fight these charges. These charges are unfounded," he said.
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