Viktor Bout & Brittney Griner image credit-X
Viktor Bout, the infamous Russian arms dealer who was released in a high-profile prisoner exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner, has reportedly reentered the arms trade. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Bout, 57, is currently brokering a significant arms deal with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The deal is said to involve around $10 million worth of small arms, marking a new escalation of tensions between Russia and the West.
Bout, who once inspired the Nicolas Cage film Lord of War, had served 12 years of a 25-year sentence in the U.S. for arms trafficking before his release in December 2022. His potential involvement with the Houthis, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, raises concerns over Russia’s growing role in international arms distribution, especially amid the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Alleged Deal with the Houthis–Viktor bout Houthis
The deal reportedly began taking shape in August, when representatives of the Houthi group traveled to Moscow to discuss the potential arms purchase. Although the shipment has not yet been delivered, the arms trade, if completed, would represent a significant escalation in Russia’s involvement with Middle Eastern conflicts. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been engaged in a violent civil war against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government for years, with widespread humanitarian consequences.
This deal comes at a time of heightened international tensions, particularly following the Biden administration’s approval for Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons in attacks within Russian borders. For Moscow, the deal may be seen as retaliation, further entrenching the geopolitical divide.
Read Also-Houthi Missile Strikes Israel’s Heartland: Hypersonic Threat Escalates Tensions
Bout’s History and Release in the Griner Swap
Known as the “Merchant of Death,” Viktor Bout’s life reads like a thriller. He was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and extradited to the U.S., where he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiring to sell weapons to terrorist organizations. His arms deals, which spanned multiple continents, earned him international notoriety, and his exploits were fictionalized in the 2005 movie Lord of War.
Bout was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia, in which Brittney Griner, a WNBA star imprisoned in Russia on drug charges, was exchanged for Bout. His return to Russia saw him quickly assume a role in President Vladimir Putin’s political party. Despite his past crimes, Bout’s release was celebrated in Russia, with many drawing parallels between his conviction in the U.S. and Griner’s sentencing in Russia.
Comparisons and Justifications
Steve Zissou, Bout’s former attorney in the U.S., has downplayed the significance of the rumored arms deal. In a statement to the Wall Street Journal, Zissou argued that if the Russian government had authorized Bout to assist in arms deals with one of America’s adversaries, it would be no different from the U.S. sending weapons to Ukraine to aid its defense against Russia. He emphasized that Bout had not been involved in arms transportation for over two decades.
This comparison raises ethical questions about the nature of arms deals and the global power struggles they often fuel. It also brings to light the ongoing debate about whether countries should provide arms to foreign conflicts, even when it serves their strategic interests.
Viktor Bout’s Perspective on His Release
In an interview with ESPN last year, Bout spoke about his sentencing in the U.S. and drew comparisons to Griner’s legal situation in Russia. He described the outrage in Russia over his case, where terms like “conspiracy” do not have a direct legal equivalent. Bout viewed both his sentencing and Griner’s imprisonment as examples of harsh legal action for relatively minor offenses.
Bout also recounted the moment of the prisoner exchange with Griner. The two were placed on separate planes on the day of the swap, and after brief instructions, the exchange took place without much ceremony. Bout recalled greeting Griner briefly during the handover.
FAQs About Viktor Bout
1. Who is Viktor Bout?
Viktor Bout is a notorious Russian arms dealer, often referred to as the “Merchant of Death.” His career in arms trafficking spanned several continents, and he became a symbol of the global illegal arms trade. He was arrested in 2008 and sentenced to 25 years in the U.S. but was released in a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner in 2022.
2. What was Viktor Bout convicted of?
Bout was convicted of conspiring to sell arms to terrorist organizations, including the sale of weapons to be used against U.S. forces. His conviction was based on an elaborate sting operation carried out by U.S. authorities.
3. Why was Viktor Bout traded for Brittney Griner?
Bout’s release came as part of a diplomatic agreement between the U.S. and Russia, where WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was imprisoned in Russia on drug charges, was swapped for Bout. The exchange garnered significant international attention due to the high-profile nature of both individuals.
4. Is Viktor Bout back in the arms trade?
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, Bout is allegedly attempting to broker an arms deal with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This would mark his return to the arms trade, although the shipment has not yet been confirmed.
5. How did Viktor Bout inspire Lord of War?
Bout’s arms-dealing exploits inspired the 2005 Nicolas Cage movie Lord of War, which depicted a fictionalized version of a global arms dealer involved in the illegal weapons trade.
This alleged return to the arms trade places Viktor Bout once again at the center of global conflict and geopolitical intrigue, raising concerns about the broader implications for peace and security.