Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the U.S. and later exchanged for American basketball player Brittney Griner, is allegedly involved in arms supplies to Yemeni Houthi rebels, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The deal, reportedly brokered in Moscow, involves the sale of AK-74 rifles, a transaction worth $10 million.
Bout’s Meeting with Houthis in Moscow
Citing sources within the security sector, WSJ revealed that a delegation from the Houthis arrived in Moscow in August this year. To their surprise, the business partner they encountered was none other than Viktor Bout. Bout, known as one of the world’s most infamous arms traffickers, is reportedly negotiating the sale of AK-74 rifles to the Houthi rebels. The deal was reportedly discussed during a meeting in Moscow, with the weapons intended to be delivered to Yemen’s Hodeidah port under the guise of food shipments. This same port has previously received grain shipments from Russia.
The Russian government, including the Kremlin and the Ministry of Defense, has remained silent about these reports, as have Bout’s former American lawyers and the Houthis themselves. However, after WSJ’s publication, the Kremlin dismissed the claims, labeling the story as “fake news.”
Bout Denies Allegations, Calls It “Political”
In response to the accusations, Viktor Bout echoed the Kremlin’s stance, claiming the report was timed to coincide with Vladimir Putin’s birthday. Bout accused The Wall Street Journal of transitioning from a business publication to a politically biased outlet. He denied any involvement in the arms trade, reinforcing his connection with the Kremlin’s narrative of the story being fabricated.
Bout’s Infamous Legacy
Viktor Bout, a former Soviet military officer, gained international notoriety as the world’s most prolific arms dealer. He was apprehended in 2008 in Thailand during a sting operation where he attempted to sell weapons to Colombian left-wing rebels. After two years of legal battles over his extradition, Bout was handed over to U.S. authorities in 2010 and later sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Bout’s arms trafficking empire is believed to have supplied weapons to rebel groups and warlords across Africa, Asia, and South America. According to a United Nations report from over two decades ago, he delivered arms to conflict zones throughout Africa, fueling violence and instability across the continent.
Bout’s Exchange for Brittney Griner
After serving 10 years of his sentence in the U.S., Bout was part of a high-profile prisoner swap with American basketball star Brittney Griner. Griner had been detained in Russia on charges of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country after being found with hashish oil, a prescription medication. The exchange brought Bout back to Russia, where the 57-year-old joined the Kremlin-loyal nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.
A Career Fueled by Conflict
Bout’s career as an arms dealer spanned nearly two decades, during which he earned the nickname “Merchant of Death.” His story was loosely portrayed in the 2005 film Lord of War starring Nicolas Cage, further cementing his status as a symbol of the global arms trade.
Despite his past, Bout’s alleged involvement in current arms deals highlights ongoing concerns about his potential role in destabilizing regions through illegal weapons sales. While the Russian government denies any association with the reported arms transaction, the timing and nature of Bout’s involvement continue to raise questions about his post-prison activities and his loyalty to the Kremlin’s geopolitical agenda.
As of now, there has been no confirmation of whether the deal between Bout and the Houthis will proceed, or if it is being conducted with the Kremlin’s approval or tacit consent. Nonetheless, the situation underscores Bout’s enduring presence in global arms trade discussions, despite his imprisonment and later exchange.
