US Prison Extends Viktor Bout's Term for 40 Days Over Alleged Alcohol Production

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to Tarasov, the alleged production of alcohol was nothing but making kombucha mushroom tea, a drink produced from brewing black tea, which Bout used for treating his stomach. The drink is popular among both the prisoners and guards, the attorney added.

"An inspection unexpectedly came with some strange gadget and said that Viktor Bout was producing alcohol. If there is alcohol, it might be hundredths or even thousandth ppm. Nevertheless, my client was deprived of some privileges granted for good behavior. His prison term was also extended for over 40 days," Tarasov told the newspaper.

Tarasov noted that the term also might be extended for 54 days because of the interview he gave to an RT journalist in June who was not on the list of approved contacts. The prison authorities may return Bout to a solitary confinement, prohibit the use of a mobile telephone or making purchases in the prison shop within a year because of the interview, the lawyer added.

Bout was arrested in Bangkok in 2008 in a joint operation between Thai and US authorities, who accused him of conspiring to kill US citizens by allegedly agreeing to supply Colombian rebels with weapons. Moscow said that the case was politicized, and has repeatedly urged Washington to release the Russian citizen.