Viktor Bout: An Unhappy Arms Merchant

      Convicted gun smuggler and arms dealer, Viktor Bout, has filed a second appeal of his conviction related to his arms dealing and international gun running.   He doesn't like the prospect of another 23  years in a US Federal prison in Illinois.   His lawyers contend that he was selling only logistics components, not arms.
     The former Russyan air force officer thought he was smarter than everybody else, like Trump/Putin, and could avoid the reach of the FBI by staying away from American soil.  Wrong.  Poor Viktor, he thought he could conduct his nefarious deals abroad and exist beyond the reach of the US Dept. of Justice.   He was set up in Thailand by play actors.  He thought he was negotiating with FARC reps from the Colombian rebel group.  These folks were actually disguised imposters, setting a well-timed trap.   He was arrested by US representatives, and then spent 2 years in a Thai jail fighting extradition.  He lost, and was extradited.  He stood trial with his expert legal defense team, and was convicted by a jury.  Sentence: 25 years, but not hard labor ala Gulag-style in Siberia.   Maybe he would prefer a Gulag residence; maybe not.   Illinois is probably hot and humid in summer, but not as cold as Siberia.
       What are his chances of a retrial?  Slim and none.  Get used to prison food, Viktor.