International Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Gives First Interview Since His Release From US Prison. Says 'America Has Lost Its Christian Values, It Is No Longer The America We Knew'

WNU Editor: It is quite a sight to see an international arms dealer of all people label the US in such a manner. But he does have a point. The U.S. and Canada (where I live) is not the country that I knew 30 years ago. When I continuously read stories like this one .... Nearly 70% of Americans struggling to pay grocery bills, survey finds (FOX News), you know the country has changed, and IMHO not for the better.

Russia Releases Video Of Brittney Griner-Viktor Bout Prisoner Swap

Russian state media release footage of the Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout prisoner swap: https://t.co/TuMxKvMmmI pic.twitter.com/xVgtQjrGbf

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 8, 2022

 

WNU editor: That is one happy arms dealer.

U.S. And Russia Swap Prisoners Brittney Griner And Vicktor Bout

 

Daily Mail: WNBA star Brittney Griner is FREED by Russia in a 1-for-1 prisoner swap for arms dealer 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout 

* WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian penal colony 

* The Biden Administration struck a deal for a prisoner swap with the Kremlin 

* The United States is returning arms dealer Viktor Bout back to Russia 

Brittney Griner has been released from a Russian penal colony after the Biden White House was able to reach a deal with the Kremlin on a prisoner swap, according to reports.  

She's on a plane back to the United States as of Thursday morning, the White House publicly confirmed. 

Griner, the WNBA star imprisoned on drug charges in Russia, will be returned to the US in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: President Biden explains why he released Viktor Bout .... Watch Live: Biden Explains Why He Swapped Russian 'Merchant Of Death' For WNBA Star (Zero Hedge). 

U.S. And Russia Agree To Swap Prisoners Brittney Griner And Vicktor Bout  

Live Updates: Brittney Griner released by Russia in 1-for-1 prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout -- CBS  

Griner for Bout: WNBA star freed in US-Russia prisoner swap -- AP  

U.S. basketball star Griner released from Russian custody in prisoner swap -Biden, article with gallery -- Reuters  

Russia frees US basketball star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout -- France 24 

Brittney Griner: Russia frees US basketball star in swap with arms dealer Bout -- BBC 

WNBA star Brittney Griner released from Russian detention in prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer -- CNN  

Biden strikes deal to free Brittney Griner from Russian custody -- Politico  

Detained basketballer Brittney Griner released in US-Russia prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout -- ABC News Australia  

Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer -- Axios  

Factbox-Viktor Bout, the Arms Dealer Russia Has Swapped for Brittney Griner -- Reuters

Kremlin Offered To Swap Viktor Bout For Up To 15 US Citizens Imprisoned In Russia

FILE PHOTO. Viktor Bout (C) escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. © Reuters / US Department of Justice

TASS: Moscow offered to swap Viktor Bout for up to 15 US citizens imprisoned in Russia — wife

According to Bout's spouse, the US government refused the offer, stating that those citizens "are of little interest" to them

NEW YORK, September 10. /TASS/. Russian officials have offered the US to exchange Viktor Bout, a Russian national currently serving a prison term at a US correctional facility for up to 15 US residents serving sentences in Russia, his wife Alla Bout said during a press conference held at the Russian Consulate General building in New York.

"They offered 14 or 15 people to be swapped," she said. "The Russian government has made attempts to conduct an exchange. They offered 14 or 15 people," Alla Bout noted. According to her, the US government refused the offer, stating that those citizens "are of little interest" to them. She added that the US stresses that Viktor Bout "will serve his sentence as a warning to others."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Kremlin definitely wants him back. 

A U.S. - Russia Deal To Swap Edward Snowden For Victor Bout?

Photo: Selfies: As his girlfriend Ms Mills, pictured with the whistleblower, posts carefree pictures on Instagram, there is growing evidence he is concerned he may be handed back to the US

Daily Mail: Could Edward Snowden be sent to US in SWAP for Russian arms dealer...? Putin may 'gift' Trump whistleblower whose pole dancer lover posts naked selfies from hideaway on Instagram

* Former NSA contractor Edward Snowden has been exiled in Russia since 2013
* He fled the United States after leaking millions of top secret files onto internet
* He could now be extradited back in exchange for release of Russian jailed in US
* Arms dealer Viktor Bout, 50, is one of the prisoners mentioned in possible swap
* The speculation comes as Kremlin confirm Putin and Trump will meet at the G20

NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden could be extradited to the US by Vladimir Putin in a swap deal for a Russian criminal, MailOnline has learned.

Speculation is growing that Putin may be ready to send back Snowden to help mend the strained relationship between Washington and Moscow.

As his girlfriend Lindsay Mills posts carefree pictures on Instagram, there is growing evidence Snowden is concerned he may be handed back to the US.

A source told MailOnline: 'A way forward could be an exchange of the kind negotiated when Anna Chapman and other 'illegal agents' returned to Moscow.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Russians want Viktor Bout back .... but forcibly removing Edward Snowden and sending him back to the U.S. for what may end up as a 30-year sentence for him .... I just do not see it happening.

Russian Media Is Claiming That Arms Merchant Viktor Bout Was Offered A Deal If He Would Testify Against Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin

Viktor Bout. Sputnik

Sputnik: US Intelligence Offered Russian Citizen Bout to Testify Against Rosneft CEO

US intelligence officials have offered Russian businessman Viktor Bout after his arrest to give incriminating evidence against Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin in exchange for a less severe sentence, Bout’s wife, Alla, said.

BANGKOK (Sputnik) – Bout was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 in a joint operation between Thai and US authorities, who accused him of conspiring to kill US nationals by allegedly agreeing to supply Colombian militants with weapons. He is currently serving a 25-year sentence in an Illinois prison.

"Victor was offered to provide incriminating evidence against Igor Sechin, for whom, according to the Americans, my husband was working for. Victor honestly replied that he was not working for Sechin and does not know him personally. He refused the offer and got a 25-year prison sentence as the minimum sentence for the articles he was charged under," Alla Bout told RIA Novosti.


Read more ....

Update: US offered Viktor Bout softer sentence for testifying against Rosneft head Sechin, wife claims (RT).

WNU Editor: I have been following this case for years .... and I am still surprised that the Russian government has not offered a deal to the U.S. to get him out. My guess is that there is more to this story than what they are telling us.

Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Loses U.S. Appeal To Have A New Trial

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is escorted by members of a special police unit after a hearing at a criminal court in Bangkok October 5, 2010. REUTERS/SUKREE SUKPLANG

Reuters: Russia says case against convicted arms dealer Bout fabricated by U.S.

Russia said on Tuesday that it believed the case against convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States, had been fabricated by U.S. special services.

"The court's lack of desire to even hold public hearings to consider additional arguments about Bout's innocence with the participation of many defense witnesses reflects concerns that a case fabricated by U.S. special services would simply fall apart before everyone's eyes," said Maria Zakharova, the ministry's spokeswoman, according to Russian news agencies.

A Manhattan federal judge on Monday said Bout did not deserve a new trial on the basis of newly discovered evidence.

WNU Editor: I always thought that he would be released through some form of an agreement with Russia. I was wrong, and it is clear that the U.S. government is determined to keep him behind bars for another 20 years.

More News On Viktor Bout

Moscow says ruling of New York court on Bout confirms politicized nature of case -- TASS
Russia Protests US Refusal to Review Case of Viktor Bout - Foreign Ministry -- Sputnik
Appeal rejection by US court confirms Viktor Bout’s case is political – Russian diplomat -- RT
Russia: Case Against Viktor Bout Fabricated By United States -- RFE
Moscow resentful at New York court’s refusal to revise businessman Viktor Bout’s case -- TASS

'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout's Accomplice Arrested In Australia

Richard Chichakli has repeatedly denied working for Viktor Bout. BBC

American Money Man to 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout Arrested: Feds -- ABC News

Federal authorities announced today the arrest of an American they said was a co-conspirator of the so-called "Merchant of Death," Victor Bout.

Richard Chichakli, a dual Syrian-U.S. citizen, is alleged to have been the money man and "facilitator" for Bout during his long, notorious career as an international arms dealer. Chichakli was arrested by Australian authorities at the request of the U.S. Wednesday, according to a statement from the Drug Enforcement Agency.

"The international law enforcement community has long recognized Richard Chichakli as a key criminal facilitator in Viktor Bout's global weapons trafficking regime and his arrest means the world is safer and more secure," DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart said. "Bout merged drug cartels with terrorist enablers, and his close associate, Chichakli, worked to ensure they could ship weapons and conduct illicit business around the world."

Read more ....

More News On The 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout's Accomplice Arrested In Australia

Accused associate of 'Lord of War' arms dealer Viktor Bout caught in Australia -- NBC/AP
Australia holds arms dealer Viktor Bout's 'accomplice' -- BBC
Alleged Bout Associate Arrested -- Wall Street Journal
Fugitive caught applying for Australian government job -- The Guardian
'Merchant of Death' conspirator arrested -- CNN
Man linked to arms dealer Bout arrested in Australia -- Reuters
False ID claims emerge in arms-link PSO case -- The Age

Russia Wants The U.S. To Extradite 'The Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout

Russia Submits Bout Extradition Documents To U.S. -- RIA Novosti

Russia has handed to the United States documents required by the country to consider the extradition of convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, the Russian Justice Ministry said on Thursday.

Earlier, Bout’s wife Alla addressed a message to the ministry asking for her husband to be transferred to Russia to serve his sentence at home. The ministry is Russia’s central body authorized to file extradition requests in the framework of the 1983 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

Read more ....

More News On Russian Requests To The U.S. For The Extradition Of Viktor Bout

Russia officially requests US to hand over Bout -- RT
Russia to ask U.S. to hand over jailed arms dealer Viktor Bout -- Chicago Tribune/Reuters
Russia asks US to extradite arms smuggler Bout -- AFP
Viktor Bout to come home? -- Voice of Russia
Moscow requests Bout's case files for judicial recognition of verdict -- Russia Beyond The Headlines

Russian Foreign Minister: Will Seek The Extradition From The U.S. Of Viktor Bout 'The Merchant Of Death'

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (center) is escorted by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officers in November 2010. Radio Free Europe

Russia To Seek Bout, Yaroshenko Extradition From US -- Voice of Russia

Moscow will seek extradition of businessman Viktor Bout and pilot Konstatnin Yaroshenko from the US, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists in Washington, adding that he had discussed the issue with his US counterpart Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Lavrov said that Russia and the US are aware that such questions must be settled within the law.

Read more ....

More News On Viktor Bout

Convicted Bout hopes extradition to Russia -- Voice of Russia
Russia Seeks Return of Convicted Arms Dealer Bout From U.S. -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Russia to Seek Repatriation of Bout, Yaroshenko – FM Lavrov -- RIA Novosti
Bout Hopes to Return to Russia ‘Quickly’ -- RIA Novosti
Sentenced Bout asks Russian parliament to sue US on his behalf -- RT
Jailed arms dealer Viktor Bout seeks Russia legal help -- BBC
Jailed ex-Soviet arms dealer asks Russia to sue US -- Today Online
Russia's 'death merchant' speaks from prison -- Calgary Herald/AFP
No Deals with U.S. Justice, Says Bout -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: If Russian Foreign minister Lavrov is making it clear that he wants Viktor Bout back in Russia .... this tells me that both Russian president Medvedev and soon to be Russian Presidnet Putin also will want him back. My prediction .... by the end of this year Viktor Bout will be back in Russia .... and he will be enjoying his wealth which the U.S. believes is approximately $6 billion.

Russia Condemns The Sentencing Of Viktor Bout (Merchant Of Death)

Russia Condemns US Sentence For Arms Dealer Viktor Bout -- The Guardian

Russia describes US court decision to sentence arms dealer Viktor Bout to 25 years in jail as political and groundless.

Russia has lashed out at a US court decision to sentence arms dealer Viktor Bout to 25 years in prison, calling the move groundless and politically motivated.

Bout, known as the Merchant of Death, was sentenced to the mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison on Thursday after his conviction on conspiracy and terrorism charges. Prosecutors had asked for life in prison, arguing that Bout's weapons trafficking had fuelled conflicts around the world.

The Russian foreign ministry said on Friday it considered the sentencing "baseless and biased".

Read more ....

More News On Russian Reaction To The Sentencing Of Viktor Bout

Russia accuses US of bias in arms dealer Viktor Bout's sentence -- The Australian
Russia Denounces U.S. Sentencing of Arms Dealer -- Post-Gazette/New York Times
US sentence for arms dealer Bout 'political' - Russia -- BBC
Russia Denounces Bout Sentence -- Voice of America
Russia slams U.S. over sentence for arms dealer Viktor Bout -- CNN
Russia Slams US Over 'Merchant of Death' Sentencing -- ABC News
Russia wants 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout back -- L.A. Times
Russia seeks Clinton's help in NY terror arms case -- Herald Bulletin/AP

Viktor bout 'Merchant Of Death' Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison

Russian Arms Trafficker Viktor Bout Gets 25 Years In US Prison -- Voice Of America

A federal judge in New York Thursday sentenced Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout to 25 years in prison for conspiring to sell weapons to a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist group based in Colombia.

U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin could have sentenced Bout to three life terms for his conviction on four counts of conspiracy to kill Americans, to sell anti-aircraft missiles, and to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.

Read more ....

More News On The Sentencing Of Viktor Bout (Merchant Of Death)

Russian arms dealer, defiant to the end in NYC case, get 25 years behind bars -- Washington Post/AP
Despite outburst, Russian arms dealer avoids life -- AP
'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout sentenced to 25 years in prison -- The Telegraph
U.S. court sentences Russian arms dealer to 25 years in prison -- L.A. Times
Weapons Dealer Is Spared a Life Term -- New York Times
25-year sentence for international arms dealer dubbed ‘Merchant of Death’ -- New York Daily News
Viktor Bout sentenced to 25 years in prison -- The Guardian
Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout handed 25-year federal sentence -- CNN
'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout sentenced to 25 years -- BBC
Viktor Bout Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Weapon Plot -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Suspected Russian Arms Dealer Sentenced to 25 Years -- Wall Street Journal

'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout To Be Sentenced

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (front C) is escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, in this November 16, 2010. (Reuters / U.S. Department of Justice/Handout / Files)

Viktor Bout, Merchant Of Death, Lord Of War, Awaits Sentencing On Terrorism Charges -- Global Post

Bout gave a pre-sentencing interview to the Voice of Russia, comparing himself to a hunting trophy collected by a vindictive the US.

NEW YORK - Viktor Bout, the former KGB agent known as the “Merchant of Death” and the inspiration for the 2005 film Lord of War, is to be sentenced tomorrow for selling weapons to Colombian rebels who planned to kill Americans, according to The Associated Press.

Bout, 45, faces a minimum of 25 years and possible life in prison following his November conviction on four conspiracy counts in a federal court here.

Read more ....

More News On The Sentencing of Viktor Bout

Former Arms Dealer Faces Possible Life Sentence -- Wall Street Journal/AP
US court to sentence Russian 'Merchant of Death' Viktor Bout -- RTE
‘Hope dies last’: Bout awaits sentence in US -- RT
US court to sentence Russian 'death merchant' Bout -- NDTV/AFP
Russian Arms Dealer Accuses U.S. of Hypocrisy -- RIA Novosti
Bout: I'm a hunted deer, US wants my head on their trophy-wall -- RT
Bout Trial ‘Disgrace,’ Defense Says as Jail Sentence Due -- RIA Novosti
Court verdict due on Bout -- Voice of Russia
US Court Supervision Dept wants Bout to serve 30 years behind bars -- Voice of Russia

My Comment: This story is big news in Russia. In the U.S. ... it is only so-so. My prediction .... Viktor Bout is going to serve life in prison, and unless there is pressure from Russia .... he is going to be stuck in a US prison for a very very long time.

A Final Comment On Viktor Bout The "Merchant Of Death"

Arms And The Corrupt Man -- Andrew Feinstein, New York Times

LAST week’s conviction of Viktor Bout, the so-called Merchant of Death, was a rare moment of triumph in the fight against the illicit arms trade.

But it points to the fundamental hypocrisy at the heart of the global trade in weapons: Governments protect corrupt and dangerous arms dealers as long as they need them and then throw them behind bars when they are no longer useful.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am sure that Victor Bout must have known one day his services would no longer be needed .... and he would then be a hunted man. But even though he is now gone .... I am sure there are many more others who have now taken his place ... hence repeating the cycle.

Russia Angry At The U.S. For Viktor Bout's Guilty Verdict

Russia Angry At Viktor Bout's US Guilty Verdict -- BBC

Moscow has reacted angrily to the guilty verdict handed down to Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, by a court in the United States.

Russia questioned its fairness and said it would try to bring Bout home.

On Wednesday, a New York court found Bout guilty of attempting to sell heavy weapons to a Colombian rebel group.

Prosecutors said Viktor Bout, 44, who has been dubbed "the merchant of death", stood to make millions from supplying weapons to the group.

The defence argued he had only wanted to sell two cargo planes.

Read more ....

Convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (center) is escorted by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officers after arriving in the United States following his extradition from Thailand last year.

More News On Russia's Reaction To Viktor Bout's Guilty Verdict

Russia lashes out at US over conviction of Viktor Bout -- The Guardian
Russia will seek to bring Viktor Bout home -- The Telegraph
Russia Questions Fairness of 'Merchant of Death' Guilty Verdict -- FOX News
Russia to try to bring convicted arms dealer home -- Reuters
A Bout face: Moscow lobbies for Bout's return -- RT
Russia will insist on Bout's return home -- Voice of Russia
‘Merchant of Death’ Convicted on Terror Charges -- Danger Room
Why Is Moscow So Interested In Securing Viktor Bout's Return? -- Radio Free Europe
Bout case: ‘Story far from over’ -- RT

'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout Found Guilty In Conspiring To Sell Missiles To Terrorists

'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout Found Guilty Of Conspiring To Sell Missiles To Terrorists -- The Telegraph

A US jury has found a Russian arms dealer, dubbed "the merchant of death," guilty of conspiring to sell missiles to terrorists, in a federal case which has sparked tensions with Moscow.

Viktor Bout, 44, who was extradited from Thailand to the United States in 2010, was charged on four counts including conspiring to kill US service personnel.

The judge set sentencing for February 8, and Bout now faces a minimum of 25 years in jail and possibly up to life in prison.

But his lawyer, Albert Dayan, said Bout would appeal.

Read more ....

More News On The Conviction Of 'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout

US finds Russian 'merchant of death' guilty -- AFP
Viktor Bout guilty of Colombian rebel arms deal -- BBC
Russian businessman found guilty of conspiring to kill Americans -- CNN
U.S. jury convicts Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout -- USA Today
Viktor Bout, aka Russia's "Merchant of Death," convicted of anti-U.S. terror conspiracy -- CBS/AP
Viktor Bout Convicted of Arms Dealing -- Voice of America
US jury convicts former Russian arms dealer Bout -- Reuters
Russian Viktor Bout convicted over Colombian arms deal -- The Guardian
Viktor Bout found guilty by US jury -- Al Jazeera
Viktor Bout: Merchant of Death worked black market's grey areas -- The Guardian
Trial of Viktor Bout reveals hidden world of weapons sales and secret code names -- The Telegraph

Closing Arguments In The 'Merchant Of Death' Trial

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (C) is escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York November 16, 2010. Photo: Reuters

Closing Arguments in Bout Trial Under Way -- Voice of America

The trial in New York of an accused Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, entered its final phase on Monday as the jury heard closing arguments from prosecution and defense attorneys.

Prosecuting attorney Anjan Sahni told jurors they should reach a "simple and inescapable conclusion", that Viktor Bout is guilty of all of the charges against him. The U.S. government says Bout, a former Soviet military officer, is an international arms trafficker. The government charges that he conspired to supply weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to kill Americans. The United States has listed FARC as a terrorist organization.

Read more ....

More News On The Trial Of Viktor Bout

Viktor Bout Was Willing to Sell Terrorists Guns, Prosecutor Says at Trial -- Bloomberg
Viktor Bout and arms-smuggling airplanes -- CNN
Closing Arguments Begin in Ex-Soviet Officer Trial -- ABC News/AP
US prosecutor wraps up arms case against Bout -- AFP
Prosecutors wrap up case against Russian ‘Merchant of Death’ -- National Post/Reuters
Case closed? Final arguments heard in ‘Merchant of Death’ trial -- RT
Deliberations in Bout trial to start on Tuesday -- RIA Novosti
Intentions at Heart of Arms-Trafficking Case -- New York Times

Trial For The ' Merchant Of Death' Begins

Viktor Bout Goes On Trial In Arms-Trafficking Case -- Washington Post

A Manhattan federal prosecutor on Wednesday accused Russian arms broker Viktor Bout of seeking to sell millions of dollars in weapons, including 100 surface-to-air missiles, to purported agents of a Colombian rebel group that expressed an intent to kill American pilots.

The allegations came at the opening of Bout’s trial, the culmination of a five-year-long effort by the United States to capture and prosecute one of the world’s most famous alleged arms traffickers.

Read more ....

More News On The Case Against Viktor Bout

Court Hears Claim That an Arms Sting Lured a Russian -- New York Times
Prosecutors say greed doomed Russian arms trafficker -- AFP
Viktor Bout wanted American pilots killed, jury told -- The Guardian
Prosecutors say accused Russian arms dealer knew Americans were targets -- CNN
Trial opens in case of accused Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout dubbed the Merchant of Death -- CBS
Viktor Bout arms dealing trial begins in New York -- BBC

'Merchant Of Death' Trial Begins

'Merchant Of Death' Arms Dealer Trial Begins In New York -- FOX News

He is the only accused arms dealer with a website.

Viktor Bout, the so-called “Merchant of Death,” walked into the wood-paneled federal courtroom in lower Manhattan Tuesday to face charges he was willing to provide a massive arsenal of weapons to “kill Americans,” as part of his alleged global network of illegal arms trafficking.

Bout has a reputation for being the world’s most notorious arms dealer. Prosecutors say for decades he has provided weapons for bloody conflicts from Libya to the Congo, and that he even made $50 million supplying weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Read more ....

More News On The Start Of Viktor Bout's Trial

'Merchant of death' trial opens in New York -- CNN
Accused Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Goes On Trial -- Radio Free Europe
Pursued for years, Russian arms suspect Viktor Bout faces federal conspiracy trial in NY -- Washington Post
Trial of Accused Arms Dealer Underway in New York -- Defense News
Accused global arms dealer Bout goes on US trial -- AFP
NY trial starts for Soviet officer in weapons case -- AP
Finally, face to face with alleged arms trafficker Viktor Bout -- CNN

'Merchant Of Death' Viktor Bout's Court Case Proceeding

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Radio Free Europe

Ruling On Evidence In Russian’s Arms Case Favors Prosecutors -- New York Times

Prosecutors in the case against Viktor Bout, a Russian man accused of conspiring to sell arms to a terrorist organization, will be allowed to use evidence showing that the United Nations and the United States had placed economic sanctions against him within the last decade, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled on Wednesday.

In a hearing about proposed evidence for a trial in October, the judge, Shira A. Scheindlin, also ruled that certain witnesses would be allowed to testify that Mr. Bout directed pilots to deliver weapons and ammunition to Angola and the Congo in the 1990s.

Read more ....

More News On Viktor Bout

Viktor Bout Never Sold Arms, Brokered Deals, Lawyer Tells Manhattan Court -- Bloomberg
Viktor Bout denies arms trafficking -- The Australian/AFP
Lawyer: Bout Never Sold Weapons, Worked In 'Air Transportation' -- Radio Free Europe
NYC lawyer: Ex-Soviet officer never sold weapons -- AP
Russia's Viktor Bout 'never sold weapons': lawyer -- AFP
Alleged Arms Dealer's Past Debated Before Trial -- NPR