Bout said he did not encounter Russophobia in a prison in the United States

Russian Viktor Bout, who was exchanged the day before for American basketball player Brittney Griner, said that he did not encounter Russophobia in a US prison. About this he told in an interview with RT.

“You know, probably, in this prison … since it is located in such, you know, traditionally, probably, the “red belt” of America, such a one-story America, as we used to say, I have not met with such Russophobia,” said Booth in an interview with RT employee and State Duma deputy Maria Butina.

According to him, everyone was set “with some sympathy” for Russia, including staff and other prisoners.

The exchange of Booth for Greiner took place yesterday, December 8, at the airport in Abu Dhabi. Before the exchange, Greiner and Booth were pardoned, they will not have to serve their sentences in their countries. Bout, after returning to Russia, expressed gratitude to the American side for the noble and respectful attitude during the exchange. By words his wife Alla, Booth now feels terribly and is very exhausted, because he had not slept for three days before.

Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand at the request of Washington, he was charged with illegal arms trafficking and supporting terrorism. Bout spent 2.5 years in prison in Thailand, and then he was extradited to the United States, and in 2012 the court sentenced him to 25 years in prison. The Russian categorically did not admit his guilt.

Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov emphasizedthat the exchange of Bout is not a sign of improving relations between the Russian Federation and the United States. These relations continue to remain in a sad state, he stressed, adding that the preparations for the exchange were carried out by the special services of Russia and the United States.