Bangkok, Aug 11 (Xinhua) A Thai Court Tuesday rejected a US request to extradite Viktor Bout, a suspected Russian arms dealer dubbed 'Merchant of Death', to face trial in the US.

The ruling came almost a year-and-a-half after Bout was arrested in a sting operation at a luxury hotel in central Bangkok, the Nation said.

Bout, who is said to have inspired the Hollywood film 'Lord of War' starring Nicolas Cage, was held on charges of illegally selling weapons -- to al Qaeda among others -- that were used in some of the world's most violent conflicts.

If found guilty on charges of procuring weapons for terrorists, Bout could face up to 10 years in prison or a maximum fine of 200,000 Baht ($5,970) in Thailand.

Bout is being detained at the Bangkok Special Prison. Police had asked the court not to grant bail to Bout, saying that he was a major international criminal and he could jump bail.

The Russian embassy had also requested the Thai authorities to extradite Bout from Thailand.