UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
Southern District of New York
U.S. ATTORNEY PREET BHARARA
DATE: November 2, 2011 Jerika Richardson
“As the evidence at trial showed, Viktor Bout was ready to sell a weapons arsenal that would be the envy of some small countries. He aimed to sell those weapons to terrorists for the purpose of killing Americans. With today’s swift verdict, justice has been done and a very dangerous man will be behind bars. I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration agents who investigated this case on three different continents and helped to bring Viktor Bout to Justice. ”
Background Viktor Bout was convicted today in Manhattan Federal Court on all four counts in an indictment that was unsealed on May 6, 2008. The counts are:
1. Conspiracy to kill United States Nationals;
2. Conspiracy to kill United States officers and employees;
3. Conspiracy to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile; and
4. Conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist
organization.
11-331 ###
