Putin’s ‘merchant of death’ sells arms to Houthis after US prison swap – WSJ

Victor Bout. Photo: TASS

Arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the United States, after being released from an American prison, is negotiating the supply of small arms to the Yemeni Houthis, with the support of Iran .

Source: The Wall Street Journal citing a European security official and other people familiar with the matter

Details: Almost two years ago, Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” was released as a result of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Russia.

Notice:

According to WSJ sources, Bout has established ties with Houthi militias supported by Yemen and is negotiating the sale of small arms, especially AK-74 assault rifles, worth $10 million.

Literally: “In August, Houthi emissaries traveled to Moscow to negotiate the purchase of $10 million in automatic weapons and met a familiar face: the mustachioed Bout.”

Details: The sale of Kornet anti-tank systems and anti-aircraft weapons was also discussed. It is said that deliveries could begin as early as October under the supervision of food products to the port of Hodeidah, where Russia has already imported grain.

While in prison, Bout was tried again for being traded for Americans held in Russian prisons. He kept a photo of Putin on the wall of his cell while he was in prison in the US and strongly supported the invasion of Ukraine.

In the end, in December 2022, he was exchanged for the American basketball player Britney Griner, who was convicted in the Russian Federation for illegal drug possession.

After his release, Bout frequently appeared on Russian television as a commentator on Russian politics and a critic of the United States. He is also mentioned from time to time by the Russian media as an expert on the arms trade.

Background Information:

• Bout kept a picture of Russian ruler Putin on his cell wall while in prison in the US and strongly supported an invasion of Ukraine.
• Bout first came into the public eye after the United States sanctioned him in 2005 for trading arms for diamonds with the former president of Liberia and a convicted war criminal.
• UN experts also accused him of violating international arms embargoes on Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 during a sting operation by US Drug Enforcement Administration agents led by Colombian rebels. Booth was sentenced to 25 years in prison, of which he served only 12.