Jailed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was convicted by a U.S. jury of conspiracy to provide support to terrorists and sell arms, has been granted a special vegan diet that he had long requested in the New York jail, Bout’s lawyer, Andrey Garkusha said on Tuesday.
Bout, who is currently in jail awaiting sentence, is a strict vegan. He eats food without eggs, diary products and, of course, meat.
“The head of the prison’s kitchen visited Viktor [Bout], asked him about his preferences and was very surprised to know that Bout was a strict vegan,” Garkusha said.
On November 2, a jury in the Federal District Court of New York found Bout, a former Russian Army officer, guilty of conspiring to kill U.S. officials and citizens, to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and to provide support to terrorists.
Bout’s sentence, which could see him spend the rest of his life behind bars, is expected to be announced on February 8.
Bout’s lawyer said that Viktor had been repeatedly denied vegetarian food.
“Viktor did not complain about a lack of food but he was given food that he does not eat. For instance, during a trial that lasted for over three weeks his breakfast included a sandwich with ham and a half-liter of milk. It was uneatable for Viktor,” his lawyer said.