A former Soviet military officer charged with trying to sell weapons to a terrorist group says U.S. agents warned he could face hunger, disease and rape in Thailand jails if he did not talk to them.

Viktor Bout (boot) made the claim in a court document filed Monday in federal court in New York City as his lawyers asked that charges against him be dropped.

Bout was extradited from Thailand last year to face conspiracy charges. He has pleaded not guilty. He was arrested in March 2008 at a Bangkok hotel.

The Russian government has complained that his extradition was unlawful and political. His trial is set for Oct. 11.

A message left Tuesday for comment from federal authorities was not immediately returned.