An alleged arms dealer who was arrested in a US sting operation in Thailand will stand trial in Bangkok before extradition is considered.
Viktor Bout, a former Soviet air force officer, has been charged in New York with conspiring to sell weapons worth millions of dollars to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc.
The United States, which has given billions of dollars in military aid to Colombia, plans to seek Mr Bout's extradition. But Thai police today said Mr Bout was to be tried in Thailand before extradition.
Mr Bout and an associate, Andrew Smulian, are charged with agreeing to sell weapons to the Farc including surface-to-air missile systems and armour-piercing rocket launchers between November 2007 and last month.
Mr Smulian (46) was charged with conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organisation, although his whereabouts are not clear.
If convicted in the United States, both men face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.