Russian national Viktor Bout was "convicted on four counts of conspiring to kill Americans, exporting anti-aircraft missiles and aiding terrorists - the Colombian FARC," according to the Daily News. Bout, whose exploits dealing arms to people like Liberia’s Charles Taylor and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi inspired the moniker "Merchant of Death," was tried in federal court in lower Manhattan, and the jury deliberated for eight hours today after the three-week trial.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, "Justice has been done and a very dangerous man will be behind bars. Viktor Bout was ready to sell a weapons arsenal that would be the envy of some small countries.” However, Bout's lawyer said he would appeal: Albert Dayan told reporters, "We are very disappointed by this verdict, truly disappointed. He believes this is not the end and he still has a chance."
Bout was caught in a sting operation in 2008, allegedly selling undercover DEA agents posing as members of FARC "an arsenal that included more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, 5,000 AK47 assault rifles, anti-personnel land mines, C4 explosives and ultra-light planes that could be fitted out with grenade launchers."
