Russia-swapped convict Viktor Bout says it’s “too early” to tell what he’ll do next


Convicted Russian arms dealer Vitkor Bout said Friday it’s too soon to tell what will happen to him now that he’s been brought home in a prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner.

“It’s too early to ask these questions, let’s not talk about them,” he said in response to reporters’ questions about what he will do next.

The former arms dealer – dubbed the “Death Merchant” due to his “business” supplying weapons around the world, including major conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Rwanda – said he does not see looking forward to spending time with his wife, Alla.

Former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout, center, takes off after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, November 16, 2010.

Former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout, center, takes off after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, November 16, 2010.
(US Department of Justice via Getty Images)

WHO IS VIKTOR BOUT, RUSSIA’S ‘MERCHANT IN DEATH’ FREED IN PRISONER EXCHANGE FOR BRITTNEY GRINER?

The Biden administration saw a swift backlash 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 prison in the United States for conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to deliver anti-aircraft missiles, and aiding a terrorist organization.

President Biden’s failure to even secure the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan in coordination with the exchange has been a major sticking point for Republican lawmakers.

“This is by far a big win for Putin,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif, told Fox News. “He left a marine behind.”

“It’s not an even exchange,” he added.

Viktor Bout sits inside a detention cell at the Bangkok Supreme Court in Bangkok on July 28, 2008.

Viktor Bout sits inside a detention cell at the Bangkok Supreme Court in Bangkok on July 28, 2008.
(Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images)

BIDEN SAYS RUSSIA HANDLES PAUL WHELAN CASE DIFFERENTLY FOR “ILLEGITIMATE MOTIONS”: “WE ARE NOT GIVING UP”

A senior defense official also acknowledged to reporters on Thursday that “there is a concern that [Bout] he would go back to doing the same kind of work he did in the past.”

Bout told Russia’s state news agency RT that he doesn’t believe he has “any particular value to the Russian government” and said his case involved geopolitics.

Former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout, center, takes off after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, November 16, 2010.

Former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout, center, takes off after arriving at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, November 16, 2010.
(US Department of Justice via Getty Images)

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Bout also disputed the argument that the deal was biased or weak trade for the U.S.

“I’m sure our leadership doesn’t think that way, whether you’re weak or not. True strength doesn’t require expression on such a, frankly, cheap level,” he told the Russian agency. “I believe the deal came about because common ground was found which allowed both parties to be satisfied.”

Liz Friden contributed to this report.

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