'Death merchant' Viktor Bout called on Donald Trump to seek asylum in Russia

Victor Bout was released from a US prison last year in a prisoner exchange with American basketball star Britney Griner. Credit: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout urged former US President Donald Trump to seek asylum in Russia as his life was «in danger.»

Bout, also known as » Merchant of Death» was released from a US prison last year.

In a high-profile prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington in December, he was exchanged for American basketball star Britney Greener.

“I believe your life is in danger,” Booth wrote in a message Telegram sent to Trump and shown to the press in Moscow.

“The Biden administration won’t stop just dragging you through the court/prison-industrial complex,” he said.

“They would rather kill you your life rather than let you stand in their way.»

Both told Trump, whom he has long admired, that he would find «a safe haven from where you can lead the fight for the American people.»

Both was serving a 25-year sentence in an American prison when he was exchanged for Griner. He has since joined a Russian Nationalist Party.

Customized for arming rebels in some of the world's bloodiest conflicts, Bout was arrested in Thailand in a US sting operation in 2008, extradited to the US and convicted in 2012 year.

In recent years, Washington and Moscow have held several prisoner exchanges. Several Americans are still being held in Russia.

Last week, Russia arrested American journalist Evan Gershkovich and accused him of espionage, causing international outcry.

Washington called the charges against him «ridiculous '.