Russian arms dealer released from US jail in exchange for Brittney Griner, back in arms business

The Russian arms dealer who in 2022 was released from a U.S. prison in exchange for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner is now reportedly back in the arms business.

Viktor Bout, 57, known as the “Merchant of Death,” sold arms recently to the Houthis, which the U.S. government considers a terrorist group, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly said the story belongs in "the category of fakes."

Before being arrested in 2008 for selling Soviet-manufactured weapons in Africa, South America and the Middle East, Bout was a Soviet military translator.

The story of his life inspiring the 2005 film "Lord of War" starring Nicholas Cage.

Griner was arrested in Russia in February 2022 for marijuana possession. She was detained for 10 months.