Viktor Bout, an internationally prolific arms dealer, allegedly used numerous air transport companies to smuggle potentially billions of dollars worth of weapons from Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Africa following the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 1990s. Over the course of several decades, Bout amassed a net worth of $50 million.
“Describing Viktor, United States prosecutors referred to him as one of the most accomplished and sophisticated arms dealers in the world.”
Brittney Griner, a professional basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), was traded for Viktor as part of a prisoner exchange that sent him back to Russia on December 8, 2022. In the movie “Lord of War” released in 2005, Nicolas Cage played the character Viktor. Following his involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate US officials and citizens in 2011, Viktor was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. He faced charges of terrorism in Thailand in 2008, leading to his arrest.
Early Life
Not much is known about his date of birth, even though many details about his upbringing or origins are not known. Viktor Bout was born on January 13, 1967 in Dushanbe, which was then the Soviet Socialist Republic of Tajikistan in the USSR.
Military Service
After the disintegration of the USSR, Bout was purportedly released in 1991. According to reports, Bout acted as an interpreter for the Soviet Army because of his proficiency in multiple languages. Besides Russian, he acquired proficiency in Portuguese, Persian, Arabic, English, and French during his training. Bout carried out his duties in the Soviet Armed Forces and completed his education at the Military Institute of Foreign Languages.
Arms Trafficking
Bout was also accused of arms trafficking during the Yugoslav Wars. Meanwhile, he was accused of supplying arms to Charles Taylor, a warlord in Liberia, during the country’s first civil war. Additionally, it is possible that he smuggled various types of weapons from Bulgaria to Africa with the intention of being used by UNITA in the Angolan Civil War between 1996 and 1998.
Authorities in Africa were unable to build a conclusive case against him for the illegal transportation of weapons due to his constant mobility, involvement in various businesses, and frequent re-registration of his airplanes. It was reported that Bout had a significant business presence in Libya. He was accused of sending surface-to-air missiles to Kenya for an attack on an Israeli aircraft and allegedly providing weapons to multiple African groups. Meanwhile, in Tajikistan, Bout and his partner Richard Chichakli set up an airline company for the purpose of conducting money laundering operations. This occurred in 2004.
In the summer of 2004, Bout’s assets in the US were placed under a freeze order through an Executive Order. The timely prosecution of the case was hindered due to Bout’s absence of a permanent residence and the eventual dismissal of the case. Subsequently, Belgian authorities issued an Interpol red notice for Bout on charges of money laundering two years later. Eventually, the charges were dismissed and Bout was found guilty in absentia for the act of forging documents in the Central African Republic in 2000.
The handover led to the imposition of sanctions by the Russian government on anyone involved. The handover was alleged to be politically motivated and illegal by the Russian government. Bout was handed over to the US in late 2010 as a consequence. The decision was overturned the following year through an appeal from the US. The Bangkok Criminal Court ruled in favor of Bout in August of 2009. A handover hearing took place in Bangkok later in the year. He was subsequently arrested in Bangkok, Thailand on an Interpol red notice issued by the US. Bout was targeted by an undercover operation organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration in early 2008.
(Photo by U.S. Department of Justice via Getty Images).
Career Beginnings
After leaving the military, Bout held various roles depending on the account. Having left Angola, he established a cargo transportation company named Air Cess, as stated on his personal website. This business offered its services to the United States, France, and the United Nations. Bout sent shipments to the pre-Taliban government of Afghanistan in 1994. According to alternative sources, Bout also served as a major in the GRU, operated as a KGB agent, or held a position in the Soviet Air Forces.
Prosecution and Conviction
Bout was ultimately convicted in a federal court in Manhattan in November 2011 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Additional charges were filed against him early in 2010. He was charged by the US Department of Justice with conspiring to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, conspiring to supply resources to a foreign terrorist organization, and conspiring to kill US officials and citizens.
Brittney Griner Exchange
The realization of that transaction occurred on December 8, 2022. It was announced in July 2022 that the Biden government had proposed giving Bout to Russia in return for the liberation of WNBA champion Brittney Griner, who was detained due to allegations linked to drug ownership.
Of Nick Kochan’s book in 2005. Bout has had an influence on or has been the subject of various media properties.
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