According to reports, the FBI discovered evidence accusing the owner of a superyacht seized by Fijian police on Thursday.
The story was initially reported by ABC News in Australia.
Suleiman Kerimov’s $325 million superyacht was seized after the FBI and Fijian law enforcement collaborated to make it happen.
The seizure warrant was issued amid evidence that the vessel, known as the “Amadea“, was susceptible to forfeiture based on “probable cause” of violations of US law, money laundering, and conspiracy, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
Court documents proved Kerimov possessed the vessel after his identification as a Russian government employee, according to the DOJ.
The 350-foot superyacht was earlier rumoured to be on its way to the Fijian port of Nadi, but it has now arrived in Lautoka. According to Forbes, its owner, Kerimov, is Russia’s ninth richest person, with a worth of roughly $14.5 billion. The US, EU, and UK have all sanctioned him for alleged money laundering and ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kerimov is one of the people who has been sanctioned for his ties to Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. The West has scrutinised the oligarchs and has seized, frozen, or detained their assets.
According to prosecution filings, Kerimov and individuals acting on his behalf “caused US dollar transactions to be routed through US financial institutions for the support and maintenance of the Amadea”, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday.
A superyacht’s maintenance costs might amount to up to 15% of its value, according to Insider. Vessels that are not properly maintained may pose a threat to the environment.
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “This ruling should make clear that there is no hiding place for the assets of individuals who violate US laws. And there is no hiding place for the assets of criminals who enable the Russian regime.”
He added: “The Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to hold accountable those who facilitate the death and destruction we are witnessing in Ukraine.”
Lisa O. Monaco, the deputy attorney general, stated: “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide – not even in the remotest part of the world. We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine.”
Superyachts, homes, and private jets belonging to some of Russia’s wealthiest people have been seized as a result of Western sanctions. Some people have tried to avoid sanctions by shifting their assets to friendlier countries.
Lisa O. Monaco, the deputy attorney general, stated: “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide – not even in the remotest part of the world. We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine.”
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