Viktor Bout, the Russian national accused of terrorism by way of his alleged arms dealing, has been in the Metropolitan Correctional Center since November. And his lawyer and his wife are now complaining that Bout is, as the NY Times reports, "suffering miserably in federal custody — largely because he was not getting enough food to satisfy his vegetarian lifestyle."
Bout was extradited from Bangkok to the U.S. in November, two years after being ensnared in a U.S. sting where Bout allegedly tried to sell undercover agents "more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, 5,000 AK47 assault rifles, anti-personnel land mines, C4 explosives and ultra-light planes that could be fitted out with grenade launchers." Bout's wife Alla Bout has previously threatened to take legal action against the Thai government, because it's suspected the U.S. and Russia pressured Thailand to turn over Bout.
In court yesterday, Alla Bout said, "He gets no fruits and vegetables... So he’s forced to eat whatever’s in the concession stores. He can’t survive; he’s not getting enough nutrients." She also said that her husband contracted tuberculosis while in Thailand, "Everything is like a cooked porridge... I’m worried that three months on, being fed the way he’s fed, his condition might deteriorate." The Times noted that Bout appeared healthy and the Bureau of Prisons claims that all inmates' dietary concerns are accommodated for.
