Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    November 02, 2011

Viktor Bout Convicted of Arms Dealing

   VOA News
   Viktor Bout (File Photo)
   Photo: AP
   Viktor Bout (File Photo)

   A jury in New York City has convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout
   of trying to sell arms to Colombian rebels to use against Americans.
   Bout was accused of attempting to supply weapons to undercover U.S.
   agents pretending to be helping the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
   Colombia, or FARC, which the United States considers a terrorist
   organization.
   Bout denied the charge, saying he is an ordinary businessman. His
   defense lawyer argued that Bout never intended to go through with the
   arms sale. He said Bout was using the deal as a means to sell the rebel
   group two cargo planes.
   Bout could be sentenced to life in prison for the crime.
   The former Soviet military officer was arrested in Thailand in 2008
   during a sting operation by U.S. agents. He was extradited to the U.S.
   last November.
   The Russian government lobbied heavily against Bout's extradition,
   denouncing the action as illegal.
   Human rights organizations accuse Bout of supplying weapons to
   governments or armed groups around the world, including in Afghanistan,
   Liberia, and Sierra Leone. They say his arms sales often sparked
   conflicts or worsened existing ones.
   Bout's alleged exploits inspired the 2005 movie Lord of War, which
   starred American actor Nicolas Cage.
   The jury returned a verdict a day after starting deliberations.

.