Russian ‘Merchant of Death’ freed in prisoner swap for basketball star Brittney Griner runs to be far-right politician

PUTIN’s “Merchant of Death” arms dealer is vying for office in Russia as a far-right candidate following his prisoner swap with American basketball player Brittney Griner.

Viktor Bout plans to run as a far-right candidate for the Putin-loving Liberal Democrat Party in an election later this year.

Despite its name, the LDPR holds extreme far-right and nationalist views, as well as supporting President Vladimir Putin‘s war in Ukraine.

It was only in December that Bout was freed in exchange for US basketball player Griner, who had been jailed for nine years due to possession of hash oil.

Bout is serving a 25-year sentence in the states after being convicted by a federal court in 2011 for conspiracy to kill US citizens and officials.

After his arrest by U.S. agents during a sting in Thailand in 2008, and was described by the U.S. Department of Justice as one of the world’s “most prolific arms dealers”.

The “Merchant of Death” had sold weapons across the globe to terrorists for decades and American enemies for decades, but has vehemently denied any involvement.

The LDPR has previously provided a home to Andrei Lugovoi, who is wanted in Britain for the 2006 murder of ex-KGB officer and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko.

Meanwhile, Griner has since resumed her basketball career after being flown back to America in the prisoner exchange.

Before her guilty verdict, Griner apologized in court, saying she made an “honest mistake.”

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them,” Griner said as her voice cracked.

“I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home.

“I made an honest mistake, and I hope in your ruling it does not end my life,” the two-time Olympic gold medalist added.

Biden addressed the nation upon Griner’s release from the White House alongside Harris and Griner’s wife Cherelle, saying “this was a day we’d worked for for a long time.”

He thanked the public servants who worked “tirelessly” to secure her release and the United Arab Emirates, where the exchange was made.