Associated Press
NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has denied the latest bid by a notorious Russian arms dealer dubbed the Merchant of Death to get his conviction overturned.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order Monday in Viktor Bout’s appeal of his 2011 conviction and 25-year prison sentence for selling assault rifles, anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons on the black market.
The three-judge panel rejected arguments by Bout’s attorneys that his prosecution was tainted because of new evidence showing the man he was supposedly conspiring with was working for the U.S. government.
Bout built a worldwide air cargo operation and amassed $6 billion — exploits that were the inspiration for the Nicolas Cage film “Lord of War.” He’s maintained he was a legitimate businessman.