Infamous Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death,” is back in the spotlight two years after being exchanged for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.
The 57-year-old former arms dealer, who has long been associated with supplying weapons to conflict zones, is reportedly once again involved in the deadly trade. Now he’s selling arms to the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Bout’s notorious career, which inspired the 2005 Hollywood film “Lord of War” starring Nicolas Cage, spans decades.
He made his fortune by supplying Soviet-made weapons to various factions in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. In 2008, he was finally arrested in a U.S. sting operation. And was ultimately convicted on charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and delivery of anti-aircraft missiles.
After spending a decade behind bars, Bout was released in a high-profile prisoner swap for Brittney Griner in 2022. Griner had been jailed Russia for possession of a small amount of cannabis oil.
