MOSCOW, May 30 - RAPSI. The Prosecutor General's Office believes that Russian Viktor Bout, who has been convicted in the United States, should be treated as an ordinary prisoner in a U.S. prison, rather than a dangerous hardened criminal.

Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika said at a Federation Council meeting that he has discussed the matter with his U.S. counterpart, Eric Holder.

He said that Holder understood his request.

Bout was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the New York Federal Court for planning to sell arms to the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces. The U.S. agents who dealt with Bout presented themselves as commanders. Bout has denied the charges against him.

Holder said that the United States may consider Bout's extradition to Russia if they receive a formal request. The Justice Ministry said Bout's extradition requires a three-party agreement between the United States, Russia and Bout himself.