“The Biden administration will not just drag you through the court and prison system. They’d rather end his life than let him get in their way.” Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout wrote to former US President Donald Trump in a telegram on Friday, offering him refuge in Russia.
Trump “welcome to Russia”
“They will be welcome in Russia, they will find a haven of peace there and, from here, they will be able to lead the fight for the American people,” Viktor Bout continues in this letter sent from Moscow to journalists.
Donald Trump was heard in a Manhattan court on Tuesday, a historic appearance. He pleaded “not guilty” to the 34 “falsification of accounting documents” charges against him. The New York court accuses him in particular of having “orchestrated” a series of payments to cover up three “embarrassing” cases before the 2016 US presidential election.
The billionaire is accused, in particular, of having paid a $130,000 bribe to the pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, with whom he allegedly had an affair, in exchange for her silence, and using her campaign funds, which is illegal. A trial could open in early 2024.
prisoner exchanges
Viktor Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand and later sentenced in the United States to 25 years in prison, but was handed over to Russia in December in exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner, who had been convicted of drug trafficking in Russia.
Moscow and Washington have carried out several prisoner exchanges in recent years. Russia still has at least three Americans in its prisons, including the journalist from Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich, arrested last week for espionage, a first since Soviet times, sparked protests among Westerners.
US-Russian relations have been at their lowest point since the Russian military launched its offensive against Ukraine.
Source: BFM TV
