According to a South African Intelligence file, Viktor is of Ukrainian origin and became a Russian citizen after the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991. Viktor Bout is an actor, businessman (a Russian arms trader), and former Soviet military translator.
During the 1990s and 2000s, he was most known for smuggling weapons from Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Africa.
Profile Summary
- Name: Viktor Bout
- Date of Birth: January 13, 1967
- Profession: Businessman and Actor
- Net worth: $50 million
- Relationship: Married
Early Life
Viktor Bout was born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on January 13, 1967. Sergei Bout and Viktor Bout grew up together. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information available about him. He lived his life away from the spotlight.
Career
Viktor Bout conducted his smuggling operations through several air transport enterprises. In collaboration with Interpol and American authorities, the Royal Thai Police detained him in Thailand in March 2008 and filed a terrorism charge against him.
On July 27, 2022, it was announced that Viktor Bout would be traded for Brittney Griner (a Women’s NBA player), who was caught by Federal Security Service officials at Sheremetyevo International Airport for smuggling illegal substances, for which she risked a 5-year prison sentence.
Viktor Bout became one of the world’s most sought-after people after selling guns to warlords and rogue nations.
For gunrunning in the years following the fall of the Soviet Union, he was dubbed the Merchant of Death and Sanctions Buster.
Viktor Bout was detained in Thailand on terrorism allegations on Thursday, March 6, 2008, by the Royal Thai Police in collaboration with American authorities and Interpol.
Viktor Bout was sentenced to at least 25 years in jail. He was incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary, Marion, from June 2012 to December 8, 2022, before being freed in a prisoner exchange for U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner, who was caught in February 2022 at a Moscow airport for carrying hashish oil.
Viktor Bout was released in December 2022 in exchange for Brittney Griner, a U.S. basketball player who was arrested in February 2022 at a Moscow airport for carrying hashish oil.
Personal Life
Alla Bout is Viktor Bout’s wife. Since 1992, the couple has been married. Before becoming Russia’s most well-known arms dealer, Viktor married Alla. They are blessed with a daughter named Elizaveta Bout.
Net Worth
Viktor Bout’s net worth was projected to be $50 million as of October 2022.
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