WHITE PLAINS, NY - NOVEMBER 16: In this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout (C) deplanes after arriving at Westchester County Airport November 16, 2010 in White Plains, New York. Bout was extradited from Thailand to the U.S. to face terrorism charges after a final effort by Russian diplomats to have him released failed. (Photo by U.S. Department of Justice via Getty Images)
  • Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was released as part of a prisoner swap with American basketball player Brittney Griner.
  • Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008 and extradited to the U.S. in late 2010. A federal indictment charged him with conspiracy to kill Americans by selling weapons to Colombian guerrillas.
  • Bout went to trial in 2011 in New York City and was convicted on terrorism charges. He was slated to remain in prison until 2029.
  • The 2005 film “Lord of War,” starring Nicolas Cage, is a glamorized retelling of his notorious exploits.
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