Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer nicknamed the “Merchant of Death,” has been released by the U.S. in a one-for-one prisoner swap that freed women’s basketball star Brittney Griner, who had been imprisoned in Russia since February.

The negotiation for the release has left some concern that the US were not strong enough in the diplomacy, though it is expected that further prisoner swaps will be arranged.

Image: Image: Shutterstock: Gorodenkoff

Produced By: Andrew Herlinger

Featured In Story: Dr Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies, Curtain University

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 13 December 2022