US releases ‘Merchant of Death’ (Who is Viktor Bout?) The United States has released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Basketball star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia. Bout spent 12 years in prison in the United States. Bout, who was once the most sought after person in the world, was known as the ‘Merchant of Death’.
The name is Victor Bout, nickname: “Merchant of Death”!
From a lieutenant in the Soviet army, he turned into an international arms dealer. He sold weapons to both the Taliban and the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. He was one of the most wanted persons in the world, with numerous arrest warrants for a period. Bout was imprisoned in the United States for 12 years. The US has released Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout in exchange for basketball star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia.
Lord of War Was inspired by the Merchant of Death
The story of Victor Bout, whom the Americans describe as the “Bill Gates of arms smuggling”, is quite interesting. So much so that his story was even made the subject of a movie in Hollywood. The script of the 2005 movie “Lord of War”, starring Nicholas Cage, was inspired by the life of Bout.
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Who is Viktor Bout?
Bout studied translation at the Soviet Military Institute in Moscow. In the late 80’s he worked as a translator in the Soviet army in Angola.
Bout, who is alleged to speak 6 languages, is thought to have worked for the Russian intelligence service GRU while in Angola. Being the subject of a trade strengthens the possibility of a secret service connection.
Bout’s attention was drawn to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. He had a great opportunity for arms smuggling. It had access to a large fleet of Soviet aircraft and a huge stockpile of weapons. He sold weapons to both states and organizations from Sierra Leone to Liberia, from Congo to the Philippines.
The story of Victor Bout’s arrest
Whether Bout has ties to the Russian secret service remains a mystery. His relations with the political elite in Russia are also ambiguous. It is claimed that he is appreciated and even respected in military intelligence. Although these were no more than allegations, Moscow demanded the extradition of Victor Bout from the USA. Bout is said to have kept a photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin next to him.
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