The WNBA star, who was serving a nine-year sentence in Russia, was flown to San Antonio, Texas.
Victor Bout has been top of the list of citizens Russia wants back for quite some time. He was jailed in 2012 for 25 years on arms dealing charges after two decades spent selling Soviet-era weaponry to rebels, warlords and dictators.
His life was immortalised in the 2005 Hollywood film Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage. Russia has always declared him innocent and that the case against him was fabricated. "Bout’s personality was demonised," Russian lawmaker Maria Butina told me back in August after the US secretary of state said it was ready to strike a deal to get Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan back."I believe he's like an evil Russian for the Americans, a bogeyman," she said.
Russia has a tendency to give public positions to people wanted by the West. Don't be surprised if Bout finds himself with a similar role now he's finally made it home.
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