Former Soviet military officer Viktor Bout is currently incarcerated in the United States for 25 years after being found guilty of conspiring to kill Americans, buy and sell anti-aircraft missiles, and give material support to a terrorist group. Bout has insisted he is guiltless.
Viktor Bout is an arms dealer who was born in Russia on January 13, 1967. He is also an entrepreneur and former Soviet military interpreter; According to CNN, the United States proposed to swap Bout for Griner and Paul Whelan in July 2022
Bout’s 2012 sentencing was criticized by the Kremlin as being “baseless and unfair,” and the Kremlin has long demanded his release.
Viktor Bout is an arms dealer who was born in Russia on January 13, 1967. He is also an entrepreneur and former Soviet military interpreter; he reportedly utilized his numerous air transport firms to smuggle weapons from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East in the 1990s and early 2000s after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Merchant of Death and Sanctions Buster, Bout was known for his alleged broad activities, wide-ranging customers, and willingness to circumvent embargos.
The Thai High Court ordered Bout’s extradition in August 2010 after the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Eric G. John, requested it after Bout was detained in Thailand on 6 March 2008 on terrorism-related allegations by the Royal Thai Police in collaboration with American authorities.
Bout refuted the charges against him and projected his innocence. He was accused of wanting to transport weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for use against American forces in Colombia.
On November 2, 2011, a jury in a Manhattan federal court found Bout guilty of conspiring to assassinate American citizens and officials, delivering anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization. Bout was given a 25-year jail sentence. Bout has been detained at the Marion U.S. Penitentiary since June 2012.
On November 2, 2011, a jury in a Manhattan federal court found Bout guilty of conspiring to assassinate American citizens and officials, delivering anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization. Bout was given a 25-year jail sentence. Bout has been detained at the Marion U.S. Penitentiary since June 2012.
Victor Bout Exchange With Brittney Griner
The Biden administration allegedly offered Bout in May 2022, according to a Forbes story, in exchange for the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner. On drug-related accusations, Federal Security Service personnel detained Griner at Sheremetyevo International Airport. Joe Biden gave the idea additional support in July 2022. In exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, Bout was offered.
According to CNN, the United States proposed to swap Bout for Griner and Paul Whelan in July 2022.
