{"id":2351682,"date":"2024-10-07T14:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T18:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/viktor-bout-back-in-business-selling-weapons-to-houthis-after-griner-prisoner-swap-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-07T14:16:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T18:16:20","slug":"viktor-bout-back-in-business-selling-weapons-to-houthis-after-griner-prisoner-swap-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/viktor-bout-back-in-business-selling-weapons-to-houthis-after-griner-prisoner-swap-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Viktor Bout back in business selling weapons to Houthis after Griner prisoner swap &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fviktor-bout-back-in-business-selling-weapons-to-houthis-after-griner-prisoner-swap-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2351682&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Viktor Bout,\u2064 a notorious Russian \u200carms dealer known as the\u2063 &#8220;Merchant \u200cof Death,&#8221; is reportedly \u200bback in the arms trading business after \u200dhis\u2062 release \u200din a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/10-babylon-bee-headlines-that-no-longer-sound-like-satire\/\" title=\"10 Babylon Bee Headlines That No Longer Sound Like Satire\">prisoner swap<\/a> for WNBA player Brittney Griner. According to sources, \u200cincluding \u200ba European\u200c security official, Bout has negotiated a\u200b $10 \u2064million deal to sell\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gun-sales-set-january-record-as-democrats-took-control-of-white-house-congress\/\" title=\"Gun Sales Set January Record As Democrats Took Control Of White House, Congress\">small arms<\/a> to Houthi representatives who visited Moscow in August. \u2062While these \u2063arms \u200bare not meant for large-scale \u2064attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, concerns remain that Russia could still provide more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-and-russia-agree-to-build-joint-moon-base\/\" title=\"China and Russia Agree to Build Joint Moon Base\">advanced weaponry<\/a> to the Houthis in the future. <\/p>\n<p>Bout, who gained \u200bnotoriety for supplying \u200barms\u2064 globally \u2062after the fall of the Soviet Union, was arrested in\u200d 2008 and sentenced to 25 years\u2064 in U.S. prison. Since his return to Russia in 2022, he has been involved in political \u200dactivities, aligning himself with nationalist sentiments and supporting President Vladimir Putin&#8217;s agenda, including\u2062 the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite his \u2064criminal history, Bout has also explored artistic pursuits, making his art debut recently.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Viktor Bout back in business selling weapons to Houthis after Griner prisoner swap<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1202638\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Russian\">Russian<\/a> arms dealer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2453757\/merchant-of-death-viktor-bout-trades-prison-for-politics-after-return-to-russia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Viktor Bout\">Viktor Bout<\/a>, nicknamed the &ldquo;Merchant of Death,&rdquo; is reportedly back in the arms dealing business after being exchanged for WNBA player <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/brittney-griner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Brittney Griner\">Brittney Griner<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>A European security official and other people familiar with the matter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/world\/russia\/putins-merchant-of-death-is-back-in-the-arms-business-this-time-selling-to-the-houthis-10b7f521\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em> that less than two years after his release, Bout is returning to his old ways, this time selling arms to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/houthis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Houthis\">Houthis<\/a>. He reportedly negotiated a $10 million arms deal with Houthi emissaries when they traveled to Moscow in August.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who was sentenced to 25 years in the United States, speaks to the media prior to an opening ceremony of the exhibition of his artworks at the Mosfilm studio in Moscow on March 7, 2023. (AP Photo\/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Notably, the arms agreed upon are only small arms, so he won&rsquo;t be taking part in the Houthis&rsquo; attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Officials have previously expressed concern that Russia could sell advanced anti-ship missiles to the Houthis, greatly expanding the group&rsquo;s ability to destroy commerce vessels and even possibly hit warships.<\/p>\n<p>Bout, a former soldier in the Soviet military, took advantage of the fall of the Soviet Union to become one of the most prolific arms dealers in modern history. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-many-innocent-people-will-die-because-of-the-griner-deal\/\" title=\"How Many Innocent People Will Die Because of the Griner Deal?\">sold arms<\/a> to insurgent movements and governments across Africa, South America, and Asia. He was arrested by the United States in 2008 in Thailand in a sting operation, and he was then released in 2022 in exchange for Griner.<\/p>\n<p>Bout has spent most of his time since returning home wading into politics and doing media appearances. He joined the ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and has voiced support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bout also made his <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/viktor-bout-merchant-of-death-griner-paintings-1f3cef1eac6969bf288249c3b197f952\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"art debut\">art debut<\/a> at a gallery last year.<\/p>\n<p>The report of the Houthi arms deal is the first sign that he has returned to his old profession.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em> reported that, at the meeting with the Houthis, the two parties only agreed on shipments of AK-74 rifles. The Houthis discussed other desired weapons, including Kornet anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft weapons.<\/p>\n<p>The shipments could begin as early as this month. The sources speaking with the newspaper speculated that they might be sent under the cover of food supplies.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking with TASS, the Russian state news organization, Bout called the report &ldquo;unfounded accusations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave a similar answer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen the article,&rdquo; he said, according to the Russian media outlet. &ldquo;We are inclined to categorize it as fake news or an information attack on our elected representatives.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin&rsquo;s preference to free Bout has helped fuel speculation that he&rsquo;s close with figures in Russia&rsquo;s security and intelligence establishment. His life served as one of the inspirations for the 2005 Nicholas Cage film <em>Lord of War.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1202638\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1202638\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Viktor Bout resumes arms dealing with Houthis post-Griner swap<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2351683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Viktor-Bout.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[42499,6281,36886,42498],"class_list":["post-2351682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-arms-trade","tag-houthis","tag-prisoner-swap","tag-viktor-bout"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Viktor-Bout.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2351682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2351682"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2351682\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2351683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2351682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2351682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2351682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}