Viktor Bout and Brittney Griner (Photos via Getty Images)
Viktor Bout, the Russian Arms dealer swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner, has reportedly returned to his nefarious ways.
Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” became a politician under the Vladimir Putin regime upon release. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, he has gone right back to dealing weapons.
“…When Houthi emissaries went to Moscow in August to negotiate the purchase of $10 million worth of automatic weapons, they encountered a familiar face: the mustachioed Bout, according to a European security official and other people familiar with the matter,” the publication notes in a report outlining Bout’s dealings with the Islamist movement.
Lots Of Americans Were Unhappy With The Decision To Swap Viktor Bout For Brittney Griner
Bout’s release from an American prison sparked a major controversy after the Biden Administration agreed to use him in an exchange that saw Griner released from jail in Russia. Many people were upset over captured U.S. Marine Paul Whelan not receiving similar treatment.
Whelan has since been released.
Per the WSJ, Bout the Houthis have not received the weapons they purchased from Bout, but this could prove to be a major issue for the U.S.
“Still, even small arms shipments to the Houthis would be opposed by Washington, which has designated the Yemen militants as a terrorist group,” the report adds. “Arming a belligerent in the Middle East conflict would also mark an escalation for Russia, which has been strengthening security ties with Tehran but has generally stayed away from the confrontation between Israel and its Iran-backed foes.”
Griner, who returned to the WNBA following her release, detailed her ordeal in Russia in a book released earlier this year.
She also represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games in France, helping the women’s team win gold.
Everyone Is Praying For Baker Mayfield And His Wife After The Couple Was Forced From Their Home In Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily (Photo via emilywmayfield/IG)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily have had to evacuate their home this week because of Hurricane Helene.
The hurricane hit northern Florida pretty hard, causing major flooding and power loss.
Mayfield, his wife Emily, their daughter, and their dog left their residence before the storm hit as a means of caution. Emily furnished her followers with an update on Friday.
“Baker, Koko, Fergus and I evacuated yesterday and are safe,” she said via Instagram. “Our sweet, sweet community got pummeled, but even that doesn’t compare to the people up North who took this storm head on. It’s unfathomable.”
Emily is grateful that Helene did not affect the Mayfield home but revealed she was “praying nonstop” for the people dealing with the impact while also offering tangible assistance.
“I am looking for ways to get out and tangibly help,” she added. “Please send me anything you find, and I will share the good ones.”