It is about messaging. “No matter what stupid-ass mistakes you make in a foreign country, your friends at the DNC have your back”. If you are a Black, woman, LGBQ+ that is. This is while other Americans already convicted of similar crimes having been sitting in jail, including a teacher.
Let’s see what Viktor Bout, the arms dealer in the proposed trade for Britney was charged with before he was tried and convicted in a system where a defendant’s guilt must be proven:
1. Conspiracy to kill US Nationals (18 USC ch. 2332b).
2. Conspiracy to kill US officers and employees (18 USC ch. 1114).
3. Conspiracy to acquire and export a missile system designed to destroy aircraft (18 USC ch. 2332g).
4. Conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (18 USC 2339b).
According to Wikipedia.org,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Bout
Bout's network allegedly delivered
surface-to-air missiles to
Kenya to be used to
attack an Israeli airliner during takeoff in 2002.
[52]
Bout is thought to have been discharged from the Soviet Army upon its dissolution in 1991 with the rank of
lieutenant colonel, whereupon he started an
air freight business. Other sources state he was a
major in the
GRU, an
officer in the
Soviet Air Forces, that he graduated from a Soviet
military intelligence training program, or an operative of the
KGB.
[2][6][19][23]. So Bout may be effectively helping Russia carry out its geopolitical ambitions
In 2004, Bout and Chichakli set up Samar Airlines in
Tajikistan to conduct
money laundering activities and protect assets from authorities.
[51] Bout is suspected of supplying weapons to numerous armed groups in Africa in the 2000s, particularly in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo during the
Second Congo War. He may have employed some 300 people and operated 40 to 60 aircraft.
[24]. Sounds like a fairly extensive operation with the side benefit for a Putin disclaimer, “It’s not my dog”.
Bout's strategy of constantly moving location, owning numerous companies, and frequently re-registering aircraft made it hard for authorities to make a case against him. He has never been charged for the alleged African arms deals to which he owes his notoriety.
[2][40][55] During Bout's reported operations, he is believed to have lived in various countries, including
Belgium, Lebanon,
Rwanda, Russia,
South Africa,
Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.
[24][35][53][56][57. So Bout is a dangerous man who is hard to catch. Given the state of relations between Russia and the US right now, if nothing else, do we really want this guy up and running again?
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Now let’s review Brittany. She violated a drug law of a foreign country and is subject to their legal system. While the punishment Britney received may be deemed harsh by our standards, it seems reasonable to attempt to negotiate a “More fair” outcome on her behalf. The US, with its extensive tourist and business base, has leverage that can be used to accomplish this. The last thing most countries want is for the US state department to restrict travel of high spending US citizens to their country. Even now, with Russia under sanctions, Russia is likely looking forward to trade being normalized and might be responsive to a offer reflecting our strong negotiating position. Hell, even I would be open minded about exchanging a couple of cooperating Russians involved in financial crimes for Brittney.
Every American and NATO member citizen killed as a result of Viktor Bout’s release would fall upon the Biden Administration who in effect traded a message to their base for American and American Allies’ lives. Another message the Biden Administration is sending, albeit unintentionally, is the US is unwilling to accept any losses in maintaining the geopolitical status quo. Being involved against the world’s second largest military machine means there will be losses, yes?
Should the Biden Administration agree to exchange Viktor for Brittney, perhaps we the people will need to deliver a message of our own in upcoming elections. A message that when it comes to our safety, all American lives matter. By the way, where was the Biden Administration in regards to other Americans detained well before Brittney, who are in similar circumstances as her in Russia, again?
