Alla Booth discusses her husband's interests with American lawyers. This became known from reliable sources; details have not yet been disclosed. According to her, the family gained hope after Vladimir Putin’s statement about compromises, which can be implemented by Russia and the United States in the matter of prisoner exchange.
“The fact that the issue was discussed at the summit and the possibility of finding compromises was noted is a great positive action, the first such action in many years. There is hope that the issue will be resolved,” Viktor Bout’s wife told reporters.
The woman also thanked ex-judge Shira Sheindlin, who in the past called Bout’s sentence “excessive” and advocated exchanging the Russian for the American Paul Whelan, imprisoned in the Russian Federation.
The Russian entrepreneur was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2012. Almost 13 years have passed since his arrest in Thailand. He was extradited to the United States 11 years ago.
The fact that the Thai government then acted contrary to its own opinion was noted by many. The Thai authorities were under serious pressure from the United States. Ten years ago, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the situation irrational.
“Contrary to two decisions of the Thai criminal court, which found Bout’s guilt unproven, this citizen of the Russian Federation, after more than two years of detention in a Thai prison, was extradited to American law enforcement agencies. These actions, according to Thai media, were carried out with the approval of the Thai government. From the point of view of the law, what happened cannot have a rational explanation or justification,” the diplomatic department said then.