Who is the Russian arms dealer that the U.S. exchanged for Brittney Griner? The U.S. government set up an elaborate operation in 2008 to capture and prosecute Viktor Bout, dubbed “the Merchant of Death.”
FILE - Suspected Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, center, is led by armed Thai police commandos as he arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand in Oct. 5, 2010. Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong, File) (Apichart Weerawong, Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
In the 2005 Nicolas Cage movie “Lord of War,” the character loosely based on Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout evades his American law enforcement pursuers, apparently saved by the CIA.
But in real life, the U.S. government set up an elaborate operation in 2008 to capture and prosecute Bout, dubbed “the Merchant of Death,” because he was said to be one of the world’s largest illicit arms dealers.
Now he is on his way back to Russia after a high-profile prisoner exchange that saw WNBA star Brittney Griner free early Thursday.
Read more on NBC News here.
Copyright 2022 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Juror in Sarah Hartsfield insulin murder trial shares how fast they reached verdict ▶ 1:55
Juror in Sarah Hartsfield insulin murder trial shares how fast they reached verdict
2 arrested following police chase which ended in crash in Highland Village shopping center ▶ 0:53
2 arrested following police chase which ended in crash in Highland Village shopping center
15 years later, families renew calls for justice in deadly Houston crash as suspect remains free ▶ 1:28
15 years later, families renew calls for justice in deadly Houston crash as suspect remains free
Cedar Pollen Alert: Texas Faces Surge in Allergies ▶ 1:12
Cedar Pollen Alert: Texas Faces Surge in Allergies
'New Developments in Kalie Goodwin's Disappearance: Search Warrants Reveal Shocking Details ▶ 1:08
'New Developments in Kalie Goodwin's Disappearance: Search Warrants Reveal Shocking Details
Uber drivers face federal kidnapping charges related to inappropriate conduct with passengers ▶ 0:57
Uber drivers face federal kidnapping charges related to inappropriate conduct with passengers
Channelview neighbors worried about repeated fires at abandoned hotel ▶ 1:05
Channelview neighbors worried about repeated fires at abandoned hotel
Houston can expect COLD TEMPERATURES this weekend ▶ 1:08
Houston can expect COLD TEMPERATURES this weekend
Fort Bend ISD community reacts after boundary-planning survey release ▶ 1:18
Fort Bend ISD community reacts after boundary-planning survey release
Baytown Police search two homes in SW Houston nearly two years after disappearance ▶ 1:48
Baytown Police search two homes in SW Houston nearly two years after disappearance
Pickup truck SLAMS into cars in Highland Village ▶ 1:19
Pickup truck SLAMS into cars in Highland Village
Crew 11 splashes down early after NASA member has medical concern ▶ 0:48
Crew 11 splashes down early after NASA member has medical concern
Top stories you need to know this morning ▶ 2:07
Top stories you need to know this morning
Suspect in Spring ISD student kidnapping faces new sexual abuse charge involving child ▶ 1:03
Suspect in Spring ISD student kidnapping faces new sexual abuse charge involving child
El Nino looks to return in 2026. Here's what that would mean for Houston ▶ 1:12
El Nino looks to return in 2026. Here's what that would mean for Houston
Top headlines ▶ 1:51
Top headlines
The lines above Houston ▶ 1:16
The lines above Houston
Conroe judge facing DWI charge hosts campaign event, avoids questions about criminal history ▶ 0:29
Conroe judge facing DWI charge hosts campaign event, avoids questions about criminal history
Convicted felon accused of sexually assaulting high schooler after offering ride to police station ▶ 0:53
Convicted felon accused of sexually assaulting high schooler after offering ride to police station
Houston's forecast for MLK Day! ▶ 0:26
Houston's forecast for MLK Day!
8-year-old boy reports sexual assault at NRG Stadium during Texans game ▶ 0:42
8-year-old boy reports sexual assault at NRG Stadium during Texans game
This week in Houston temperatures ▶ 0:54
This week in Houston temperatures
Longer days are coming to Houston ▶ 1:29
Longer days are coming to Houston
Heaven’s 27 Foundation: Turning Tragedy into Camp Safety Reform ▶ 1:07
Heaven’s 27 Foundation: Turning Tragedy into Camp Safety Reform
Texans prepare for Patriots in divisional round after wild card win ▶ 0:52
Texans prepare for Patriots in divisional round after wild card win
Previous photo Next photo