USA (bbabo.net), - The USA will "bring to account" the Russian Viktor Bout, if he, in their opinion, continues the previous "line of work". The White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby made that claim in an interview with ABC that aired on Sunday.

“We intend to protect our national security. If Mr. Bout decides to return to his previous line of work, then we will do what is necessary to hold him accountable and protect our interests,” Kirby said.

On December 8, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Russian Viktor Bout was returned to Russia as a result of an agreement with the United States on his exchange for American basketball player Brittney Griner. Bout was detained in 2008 in Bangkok on a warrant issued by a local court at the request of the United States. The Russian was accused of illegally supplying weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group, which Washington considers terrorist. Two years later, Bout was extradited to the United States. In April 2012, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and a fine of $15 million.

In an interview with RT, Bout said that the judge, during his trial in the United States, admitted that he was a normal businessman and did not do anything illegal. The Russian stressed that he carried out legal international air transportation. However, according to him, the judge, referring to US conspiracy law, noted that she could not acquit him.

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