“In the case of another one of my clients — Konstantin Yarosheko [a Russian pilot who is serving a 20-year term in US prison], the Russian Foreign Ministry actually helped his family to get the visas. I am not sure whether the same protocol is followed for Viktor Bout's relatives, but it's very likely, given the sensitivity of the case, that the Foreign Ministry could assist them in obtaining the visa,” Tarasov said.
“As I understand, they are in the process of getting the visa. But the process is lengthy,” Tarasov said. He added that there are no specific dates when Bout’s family may be allowed to visit him.
Bout is serving a 25-year prison sentence after being arrested in Bangkok in 2008 in a joint operation between Thai and US authorities on charges of conspiring to kill US nationals by allegedly agreeing to supply Colombian rebels with weapons. In 2010, Bout was extradited to the United States, where he was jailed, but he has denied all charges.
