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U.S. Jury Convicts Russian Arms Dealer Bout

November 02, 2011

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout has been convicted of trying to sell heavy weapons to a Colombian terrorist group.

A federal jury in New York City reached the verdict on November 2 against Bout, once known as the "Merchant of Death."

The sentence against him hasn't been delivered yet.

Bout was arrested in a 2008 sting operation involving U.S. informants posing as members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Prosecutors said secret recordings showed the former Soviet military officer wanted to make millions by supplying weaponry to the rebels.

They said the fake buyers made it clear they wanted to attack U.S. personnel aiding the Colombian government.

The defense insisted Bout had retired from dealing arms when an undercover U.S. agent lured him into the negotiations.

Bout now faces a minimum of 25 years in jail and possibly up to life in prison. His lawyer said Bout would appeal the decision.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russian_arms_dealer_bout_convicted/24379619.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.