American denies aiding arms trader

An American indicted in the U.S. with arms trader Viktor Bout has called the charges against him "lies," and vowed to return home from Russia to challenge them in court.

Richard Chichakli tells The Associated Press that his indictment is "absurd" and "crazy."

The charges relate to allegations that a Bout-connected firm in Tajikistan sought to buy two Boeing aircraft in 2007, in violation of U.N. and U.S. sanctions aimed at halting the flow of arms to war zones in Africa.

Chichakli told the AP Friday that he is a friend of Bout, who is fighting extradition from Thailand on U.S. charges he attempted to smuggle arms to insurgents in Colombia.

Russia has no extradition treaty with the U.S.