Meet The 55-years-Old Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout: Know His Family, Net Worth & Others
Here Is How Rich Is Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout: Everything To Know About The 55-years-Old Russian Arms Dealer
Viktor Bout is a weapons dealer from Russia. He was an entrepreneur and former Soviet military translator who allegedly used his many air transport firms to smuggle weapons from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East when the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Bout was dubbed the Merchant of Death and Sanctions Buster due to his purported broad activities, large clients, and willingness to circumvent embargoes.
Viktor was detained in Thailand on terrorist accusations on March 6, 2008, by the Royal Thai Police in collaboration with American authorities and INTERPOL.
He was convicted by a jury in a Manhattan federal court on November 2, 2011, of conspiracy to assassinate US citizens and officials, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles, and providing help to a terrorist group, and sentenced to 25 years in jail.
Let us learn more about Viktor Bout and take a closer look at his net worth.
What Is Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Worth?
Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Has A Net Worth Of Around $50 Million according to celebrityworth.
Netizens’ curiosity has gotten better of them amid the Russia-Ukraine war which has been going on since February 2022.
Viktor earned his reported fortune with his extensive network of air transport firms which he used to smuggle arms and ammunition from eastern Europe to other parts of the world, especially Africa and middle-east.
According to his Wikipedia profile, Bout established Samar Airlines in Tajikistan in 2004 to perform money laundering and asset protection. Bout is suspected of supplying weaponry to several armed groups in Africa in the 2000s, mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the Second Congo War.
His money laundering cartel might have also added significant fortune to his reported wealth. Other than that, he worked as a military translator but his salary from the military position might have been insignificant in making his empire.
Viktor Bout’s Wife: His Family And Children Explored
Viktor Bout is married to his wife Alla Bout since 1992.
Bout and his wife Alla have been going strong in their marriage as they have not separated even after Viktor is behind bars as of now.
Alla was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia and she is 52 years old as of 2022. She has remained fairly away from the media and spotlight but makes public appearances occasionally.
The couple together shares a daughter Elizaveta Bout, their daughter was born in the United Arab Emirates in 1994. She might have been born when Viktor was at large and living in UAE.
Apart from his wife and daughter, other family members of the merchant of death include his mother Raisa Bout, and his elder sibling Sergei Bout.
Viktor’s brother Sergei had angrily dismissed all the allegations against his brother about the supply of arms saying his brother is just an air cargo operator and had no idea about his cargo back in 2002 according to the Los Angeles Times.
While information about his mother except for her name remains unknown, his father’s name and identity have not come to the surface. It is unclear if any of his parents are still surviving or have passed away already.
Why Was Viktor Bout Arrested?
Viktor Bout was arrested in Thailand on terrorism charges on March 6, 2008, by the Royal Thai Police in collaboration with American authorities and INTERPOL.
US Ambassador to Thailand Eric G. John requested his extradition under Thailand’s Extradition Act, which was eventually mandated by the Thai High Court in August 2010.
Bout was charged with attempting to transport weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Soldiers of Colombia (FARC) for use against US forces in Colombia, but he disputed the allegations and anticipated his acquittal.
Viktor was convicted by a jury in a Manhattan federal court on November 2, 2011, of conspiracy to assassinate US citizens and officials, delivery of anti-aircraft missiles, and providing help to a terrorist group, and sentenced to 25 years in jail.