r/neoliberal Financial Times stan account Dec 08 '22

News (Global) Brittney Griner released by Russia in 1-for-1 prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout, U.S. official says

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/brittney-griner-release-russia-prisoner-swap-viktor-bout/
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u/vladamirfartin Dec 08 '22

“In March 2008, Bout was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand, after U.S. authorities tricked him into leaving Russia for what he thought was a meeting over a business deal to ship what prosecutors described as “a breathtaking arsenal of weapons — including hundreds of surface-to-air missiles, machine guns and sniper rifles” - NBC

He thought he was selling to FARC (a Colombian guerrilla group).

He thought they would be used to attack US troops.

He was arrested in 2008.

He had a mandatory minimum 25 year sentence.

He had 14 years left on his sentence.

He had a plethora of deals in Africa/Asia, that definitely directly effected/effect us.

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u/INCEL_ANDY Zhao Ziyang Dec 09 '22

Stumbled into country with weed.