'Lái súng tử thần' Nga ra tranh cử

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As an arms trafficker (người buôn bán vũ khí), Viktor Bout operated in some of the world’s most dangerous places. He become one of the world’s most wanted men, earning the nickname “Merchant of Death,” (Thương gia tử thần) and a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S.

Now, nine months after returning to Russia in a prisoner exchange (trao đổi tù nhân), Bout is running for local office as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, which specializes in flamboyant (khoa trương) politicians who entertain and scandalize as much as they legislate. Nominally an opposition party, it actually serves President Vladimir Putin in elections that add a veneer (lớp vỏ ngoài) of legitimacy (tính chính danh) to his rule. Bout’s campaign shows how the Kremlin is eager for fresh faces (ương mặt mới) to maintain popular support (sự ủng hộ của dân chúng).