White House says Bout is not on U.S. terrorist list

Viktor Bout is not on the US terrorist list, but Washington remains vigilant and aware of the risks of a decision to exchange Bout. This statement was made by Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security Jake Sullivan.

During the briefing, journalists asked if the White House considers Viktor Bout a terrorist. Sullivan replied that Booth was “not on the [террористическом] US list.

“Before we decide on an exchange, we evaluate the implications for national security. We have made this assessment in this case and believe we can handle the potential challenges, but we will remain vigilant at all times for any threat Viktor Bout may pose to the Americans, to the United States.” said White House representative.

December 8 Booth returned to Russia after a prisoner exchange with the American side at the Abu Dhabi airport. Basketball player Brittney Griner flew from Russia to the United States, who was detained in February 2022 at Sheremetyevo after vape cartridges with hashish oil were found in her hand luggage. Before the exchange, Greiner and Booth were pardoned, they will not have to serve their sentences in their countries.

The next day, Russian President Vladimir Putin declaredthat, through the special services, negotiations between Russia and the United States on an exchange are continuing. He also allowed for new exchanges in the future.

Returning to Russia, Viktor Bout gave an interview to the TV channel Russia Today, in which declared, which supports the conduct of a special operation in Ukraine. Booth said he didn’t understand why it hadn’t been done before. He also recalled how back in 2014 the residents of Kharkiv carried the Russian tricolor.

The day before, December 12, Booth entered in the LDPR. According to faction leader Leonid Slutsky, the returned Russian “became a symbol of the struggle for the principles, for the spiritual and moral foundations of today’s Russia.”

Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand at the request of Washington, he was charged with illegal arms trafficking and supporting terrorism. Bout was imprisoned in Thailand for 2.5 years before being extradited to the United States. In 2012, the court sentenced him to 25 years in prison. The Russian has pleaded not guilty.