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https://www.rt.com/russia/447542-viktor-bout-us-kremlin-deal/
US offered my family green card if I accused Kremlin of corruption – jailed Russian businessman
Published time: 27 Dec, 2018 17:50
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Rusian businessman, Viktor Bout, gestures as he arrives at a Bangkok criminal court in October 2010. © Reuters / Sukree Sukplang
The legal eagles also “loved talking about this with the family; with my wife, proposing different options, including a green card,” he added.
However, the entrepreneur said that exchanging him for any of the US citizens accused of crimes in Russia was never on the table.
Also on rt.com Revolution in US is inevitable, says jailed Russian businessman Viktor Bout
Bout has been in custody for a decade now, after being arrested in 2008 in Thailand during an American sting operation. He was eventually convicted in the US in 2012 on a charge of conspiring to kill American citizens, by allegedly selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and was handed 25 years in prison.
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Revolution in US is inevitable, says jailed Russian businessman Viktor Bout
Published time: 25 Dec, 2018 15:43 Edited time: 26 Dec, 2018 12:34
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FILE PHOTO. Viktor Bout (C) escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. © Reuters / US Department of Justice
Bout has been in custody for many years after being arrested in 2008 in Thailand during a US sting operation. He was eventually convicted in 2012 over conspiring to kill American citizens by allegedly selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), receiving a quarter-century jail term.
Read more
‘Follow the money’: Viktor Bout on US motives & politics driving his case
The businessman has always maintained his innocence, stating that he was involved only in a legitimate cargo business. While Bout has been experiencing health issues in jail, the man himself is reluctant to speak about his problems.
“Russia’s authorities are aware of all my problems. Why would I write tearful, moanful letters and ask for help? The government and the embassy know what they should do. When an opportunity shows up, I’m sure that they’ll take all the steps necessary,” Bout told the Izvestia newspaper in an interview.
But what really keeps him afloat is the support from family and friends, as well as from total strangers, he receives. “Lots of strangers are writing letters with words of support. I’m very grateful to them,” Bout said, adding that he tries his best to reply to everyone.
The jailed Russian, however, does not appear to be optimistic about prospects of his lengthy term being overturned. Given the state of the US legal system, trying to clear his name while playing by its rules is virtually impossible and quite pointless, Bout believes, as he has become a pawn in a big geopolitical game.
The main and only reason behind his incarceration is to “intimidate other Russians” so that they give in to US demands, he added, wary of his own fate.
While politicians in Washington are ramping up tensions and seeking confrontation with Russia, the general public actually thinks otherwise, Bout said, citing his personal experience.
“Over these years, I’ve formed an opinion that the Americans are largely for good relations with Russia. At least, that’s how it is for those who live in rural areas. The people are conservative, plain out there, where I serve my term,” he stated, adding that the Russians and the Americans actually have more things in common than dividing them.
Also on rt.com At least 30 Russian political prisoners held in foreign nations, ombudsman claims
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US offered my family green card if I accused Kremlin of corruption – jailed Russian businessman
Published time: 27 Dec, 2018 17:50
Get short URL
Rusian businessman, Viktor Bout, gestures as he arrives at a Bangkok criminal court in October 2010. © Reuters / Sukree Sukplang
- 2673
There was talk about me telling the US authorities about corruption in the Kremlin. I replied: ‘What do I have to do with it at all and how am I supposed to speak about something that doesn’t exist?’
Such offers were made to him “on numerous occasions” by lawyers aligned with the US side, Bout said in a public telephone conversation with TASS.The legal eagles also “loved talking about this with the family; with my wife, proposing different options, including a green card,” he added.
However, the entrepreneur said that exchanging him for any of the US citizens accused of crimes in Russia was never on the table.
Also on rt.com Revolution in US is inevitable, says jailed Russian businessman Viktor Bout
Bout has been in custody for a decade now, after being arrested in 2008 in Thailand during an American sting operation. He was eventually convicted in the US in 2012 on a charge of conspiring to kill American citizens, by allegedly selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and was handed 25 years in prison.
As for any deals with the American justice system and what it really is – the American justice system isn’t just deaf and blind, but, apparently, out of its mind.
Before hanging up, Bout expressed “full confidence” that someday he’ll be back in Russia. The 51-year-old has always maintained his innocence and insisted that he has only been involved in legitimate cargo business.Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
- 2673
Revolution in US is inevitable, says jailed Russian businessman Viktor Bout
Published time: 25 Dec, 2018 15:43 Edited time: 26 Dec, 2018 12:34
Get short URL
FILE PHOTO. Viktor Bout (C) escorted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. © Reuters / US Department of Justice
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Bout has been in custody for many years after being arrested in 2008 in Thailand during a US sting operation. He was eventually convicted in 2012 over conspiring to kill American citizens by allegedly selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), receiving a quarter-century jail term.
Read more
‘Follow the money’: Viktor Bout on US motives & politics driving his case The businessman has always maintained his innocence, stating that he was involved only in a legitimate cargo business. While Bout has been experiencing health issues in jail, the man himself is reluctant to speak about his problems.
“Russia’s authorities are aware of all my problems. Why would I write tearful, moanful letters and ask for help? The government and the embassy know what they should do. When an opportunity shows up, I’m sure that they’ll take all the steps necessary,” Bout told the Izvestia newspaper in an interview.
But what really keeps him afloat is the support from family and friends, as well as from total strangers, he receives. “Lots of strangers are writing letters with words of support. I’m very grateful to them,” Bout said, adding that he tries his best to reply to everyone.
The jailed Russian, however, does not appear to be optimistic about prospects of his lengthy term being overturned. Given the state of the US legal system, trying to clear his name while playing by its rules is virtually impossible and quite pointless, Bout believes, as he has become a pawn in a big geopolitical game.
The main and only reason behind his incarceration is to “intimidate other Russians” so that they give in to US demands, he added, wary of his own fate.
Regarding my innocence – to whom I can prove it? To what system? Look at what is happening in the United States. They are trying to do what they’ve done to me not only to their distinguished generals, but the President himself. The American justice system has become a cheap farce.
Such a situation in the US cannot last forever and the country will experience “great changes” in the near future since US society is way too polarized, the jailed Russian believes.This country is at the doorstep of great changes, and, in my opinion, a revolution, which is virtually inevitable.
“Many out there are ready for the civil war: on the two sides, armed to the teeth and only waiting for the moment when someone starts to spill blood,” Bout added.While politicians in Washington are ramping up tensions and seeking confrontation with Russia, the general public actually thinks otherwise, Bout said, citing his personal experience.
“Over these years, I’ve formed an opinion that the Americans are largely for good relations with Russia. At least, that’s how it is for those who live in rural areas. The people are conservative, plain out there, where I serve my term,” he stated, adding that the Russians and the Americans actually have more things in common than dividing them.
Also on rt.com At least 30 Russian political prisoners held in foreign nations, ombudsman claims
Subscribe to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media won’t tell you.
