Convicted Russian arms dealer Vitkor Bout said Friday it’s too early to say what’s next for him now that he’s been brought home in a prisoner exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner.
“It’s too early to ask those questions, let’s not talk about it,” he said in response to questions from reporters about what he will do next.
The former arms dealer, nicknamed the “Merchant of Death” because of his “business” supplying arms around the world, including major conflict zones like Afghanistan and Rwanda, said he is looking forward to spending time with his wife, There.
Viktor Bout, former Soviet military officer and suspected arms smuggler, center, steps off the plane after arriving at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, on November 16, 2010.
(US Department of Justice via Getty Images)
WHO IS VIKTOR BOUT, RUSSIA’S ‘DEATH MERCHANT’ RELEASED IN PRISONER EXCHANGE FOR BRITTNEY GRINER?
The Biden administration saw a quick reaction Thursday when it said the international arms dealer would be traded for the WNBA player, who was arrested on marijuana charges in Russia. Bout was sentenced to 25 years in US prison for conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to launch anti-aircraft missiles and aiding a terrorist organization.
President Biden’s failure to also secure the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan in coordination with the trade was a major sticking point for Republican lawmakers.
“This is a big win for Putin, by far,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told Fox News. He left behind a Marine.
“It’s not an equal exchange,” he added.
Viktor Bout sits inside a holding cell at the Bangkok High Court in Bangkok on July 28, 2008.
(Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images)
BIDEN SAYS RUSSIA TREATS PAUL WHELAN CASE DIFFERENTLY FOR ‘ILLEGITIMATE REASONS’: ‘WE DON’T GIVE UP’
A senior defense official also acknowledged to reporters Thursday that “there are concerns that [Bout] would do the same type of work that he has done in the past.”
Bout told Russian state media outlet RT that he does not believe he has “any particular value to the Russian government” and said his case got caught up in geopolitics.
Viktor Bout, former Soviet military officer and suspected arms smuggler, center, steps off the plane after arriving at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, on November 16, 2010.
(US Department of Justice via Getty Images)
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Bout also disputed the argument that the deal was unbalanced or weak trade for the US.
“I’m sure our leadership doesn’t think in those terms, whether you’re weak or not. Real strength does not require expression at such a frankly cheap level, ”he told the Russian media. “I think the deal came about because common ground was found that allowed both parties to be satisfied.”
Liz Friden contributed to this report.
