Friday, March 29, 2024

Who is Viktor Bout? | wfaa.com



WASHINGTON — The U.S. has launched infamous Russian arms supplier Viktor Bout, as soon as nicknamed “the Merchant of Death,” in a dramatic high-level prisoner change for WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Who is Viktor Bout? 

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Bout, 55, is a former Soviet Army lieutenant colonel whom the U.S. Justice Department as soon as described as one of many world’s most prolific arms sellers. 

Bout, whose exploits impressed the 2005 Nicolas Cage film, “Lord of War,” was serving a 25-year sentence on fees that he conspired to promote tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in weapons that U.S officers mentioned have been for use towards Americans.

Russia has agitated for his launch since he was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and later convicted of terrorism.

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The Biden administration was finally prepared to change Bout if it meant Griner’s freedom. The detention of one of many best gamers in WNBA historical past contributed to a swirl of unprecedented public consideration for a person detainee case — to not point out intense stress on the White House.

Bout has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence, saying he’s a reputable businessman and didn’t promote weapons. He’s had loads of help from high-level Russian officers since he was first arrested. A Russian parliament member testified when Bout was combating extradition from Thailand to the U.S.

As of July 2022, he was being held in a medium-security facility in Marion, Illinois, and was scheduled to be launched in August 2029.

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The “Merchant of Death” moniker was hooked up to Bout by a high-ranking minister of Britain’s Foreign Office. The nickname was included within the U.S. authorities’s indictment of Bout.



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