Victor Bout - Morally Confused or On The Fence?

Small time criminals don't interest me. But big-time ones do. I will cover Hitler later when I have the time, haha.

I first read about Victor Bout in the local newspaper. I read with interest, amusement, and then laughter! Either this guy is clueless, doesn't give a shit, or just morally confused or in my terms, morally on the fence.

Source: http://www.ruudleeuw.com/vbout00.htm

Victor Bout's File
Victor Bout is a former KGB major and arms merchant, the most notorious in the Post Cold War era and he plays a critical role in areas where the weapons trade has been embargoed by the United Nations. Mr. Bout (pronounced "Butt" in Russian) combines his legal airline activities with illegal ones. His fleet of aircraft has been based in Central African countries, South Africa and U.A.E. of Sharjah. He also operated out of Ostend, Belgium and he seems to have had connections with Mexair in Geneva (1989-1994).While I thought nothing of it I photographed some of his aircraft at Sharjah in 1999, but later I stumbled on his story while I tried to identify some of his aircraft (couldn't, they were carrying illegal registrations). I became fascinated by his exploits and while he is being searched by media and governmental agencies, he seems to hide in the shadows and run his businesses.In 2002 he changed the name of his company again, from Air Cess to Air Bas, while previous also having operated as Centrafricain Airlines and Air Pass.While Air Bas (registered in Equatorial Guinea, under cover company CET Aviation) was still current in 2004 (though no aircraft carried these titles), his company (allegedly) British Gulf International Airlines (registered in Sao Tome and a subsidiary, under the same name, in Kyrgyzstan) was reported to have landed contracts from the US (which in turn put Western Allies under pressure to get Mr Bout off the blacklists). Victor Bout gave an interview to Peter Landesman, which was published (in German) in the Süddeutsche Zeitung (no.43 24Oct03); below is a link to the article in English (but requires registering with the NY Times). Before this interview the only publicly available photo of him was secretly taken by a Belgian journalist in March 2001 on an airstrip in Congo. And his only statements had been brief denials of his role in arms trafficking. He walked out of a CNN interview in March 2002.

Okay, apart from being really obnoxious (besides walking out on CNN, this fellow commented that Nicholas Cage did a bad job at impersonating him in a film based on him!), this character is really quite fascinating. He supplied arms to a African leader, then later, supplied arms to the opposing party. He then helped the African leader escape and dropped aid for the people. Something to that effect. No comments. You judge.

Anyway, this fox was finally caught in Bangkok on 6 Mar 2008. Usually working annoymously behind runners, he was lured by a potential big deal that ended up being a set-up. I believe U.S. undercover agents finally did him in during a sting operation.

In any case, this guy's made history and got many book deals. Not sure whether he'll have the freedom to enjoy any of the financial freedom and fame it brings.