Viktor Bout

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Infamous Russian Arms Merchant May Be Back in Business

Wall Street Journal reports Viktor Bout is back to selling arms after prisoner swap

(Newser) - An infamous Russian arms dealer freed in exchange for American Brittney Griner is back to his old tricks less than two years later, reports the Wall Street Journal . The newspaper's exclusive scoop says Viktor Bout—aka, the "merchant of death"—has been personally brokering the sale of...

Trump: I Turned Down Trading Bout for Whelan

US and Russia plan to discuss American's release this week

(Newser) - Former President Trump said Sunday that he rejected a Russian prisoner trade that would have freed American Paul Whelan. In a post on Truth Social, the Hill reports, Trump said the price—the US release of notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout—was too high. "I turned down a deal...

Griner in 'Very Good Spirits,' as Viktor Bout Slams US

WNBA star has been reunited with her wife in Texas

(Newser) - No new photographs or video emerged Friday afternoon of Brittney Griner, but the newly freed athlete has been reunited with her wife and appears to be in good health after 10 months in custody in Russia.
  • “She has been reunited with her wife, Cherelle," said White House press
...

Brittney Griner Lands in Texas
Brittney Griner
Lands in Texas
Dec 9, 2022 5:56 AM CST

Brittney Griner Lands in Texas

She'll meet wife, undergo checks at Brooke Army Medical Center

(Newser) - Brittney Griner is back in the US. The WNBA star released from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap was seen stepping off a plane that landed at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, around 5:30am Friday, CNN reports. That arrival followed the exchange in Abu Dhabi, mediated...

Release May Be a Reward for Viktor Bout Keeping 'His Cool'

Arms dealer gave US no information, and his release could be his reward, analysts say

(Newser) - Russia had made clear that the release of arms dealer Viktor Bout was important to the government. In July, his US lawyer decreed that "no Americans will be exchanged unless Viktor Bout is sent home." It's not entirely clear why his release—achieved Thursday in a deal...

Brittney Griner Freed by Russia, but at a 'Heavy Price'

CBS News reports she was exchanged for arms dealer Viktor Bout

(Newser) - Brittney Griner has been freed in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, CBS News reports by way of a US official. The network reports the prisoner exchange happened Thursday in the United Arab Emirates, the culmination of a deal reportedly reached a week ago and given...

Russia Says Inmate Swap Has Become More Likely

A day after Griner is put in a penal colony, diplomat expresses confidence about getting arms dealer back

(Newser) - A Russian official said Friday that the likelihood of a prisoner exchange with the US has improved, a day after his government imprisoned American athlete Brittney Griner in a penal colony. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia wants a trade that would have the US return arms trafficker Viktor...

This Is the Russian on Offer in Exchange for Britney Griner

Viktor Bout, former Soviet military translator, could pass on intelligence, says pundit

(Newser) - The imprisoned Russian arms dealer the Biden administration has reportedly offered to swap for Russian detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan is known here as the "Merchant of Death." Viktor Bout—who reportedly inspired Nicolas Cage's arms dealer character in 2005's Lord of War—is serving...

'Merchant of Death' Arms Trafficker Gets 25 Years

Russian Viktor Bout shouts, 'It's a lie!' in court

(Newser) - A defiant Russian arms dealer dubbed the Merchant of Death for his history of arming violent dictators and regimes was sentenced today to 25 years in prison, far short of the life term prosecutors sought for his conviction on terrorism charges that grew from a US sting operation. Viktor Bout'...

'Merchant of Death' Extradited to US

Russia calls Viktor Bout's extradition 'illegal'

(Newser) - "Merchant of Death" Viktor Bout was extradited to the US today, and his native Russia is none too pleased about that fact. The alleged arms trafficker, accused of selling weapons to groups in Africa, Afghanistan, and South America, was indicted in 2008 of selling arms to a terrorist group...

'Merchant of Death' Denies Arms Charges

Viktor Bout, nabbed in Thailand, says he was just on vacation

(Newser) - Viktor Bout, the international arms dealer caught last week in a US sting operation in Thailand, told police he was vacationing when authorities nabbed him for trying to sell weapons to Colombian rebels, Reuters reports. Bout, nicknamed the "Merchant of Death" for business dealings with groups like the Taliban,...

Thais Nab 'Merchant of Death'
Thais Nab 'Merchant of Death'
Mar 6, 2008 5:18 PM CST

Thais Nab 'Merchant of Death'

Russian arms dealer may face US trial for supplying terror groups worldwide

(Newser) - The Russian arms dealer branded "the merchant of death" was apprehended in Thailand today after US intelligence linked him to Colombia rebels, the New York Times reports. Viktor Bout is on international most-wanted lists for allegedly using his private air fleet to supply al Qaeda and the Taliban—plus...

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