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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
World

Who is Viktor Bout, Russian man at centre of US prisoner ‘swap’?

Viktor Bout Brittney Griner Paul Whelan Prison Russia
Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is escorted by members of a special police unit after a hearing at a criminal court in Bangkok [File: Reuters]

The United States government has reportedly offered to free Viktor Bout, an imprisoned Russian arms dealer, in exchange for the release of basketball star Brittney Griner and former US marine Paul Whelan, who are held by Russian authorities.

Here is what to know about Bout, who was once dubbed the “Merchant of Death” and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence.

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