Fiji halts stay on US seizure of Russian Oligarch's superyacht 'Amadea'

A Fijian court has temporarily halted execution of a US warrant to confiscate a $300 million superyacht owned by Suleiman Kerimov, a sanctioned Russian businessman. US Justice Department has requested that yacht, which is worth $300 million, be seized for allegedly breaking sanctions and having ties to corruption.

$325 million yacht 'Amea' was previously barred from leaving South Pacific island due to its ties to Russia. On May 4, a judge in Fiji ordered that US officials can seize a Russian-owned superyacht, but his judgement has been put on hold until at least Friday while defence lawyers file an appeal. After United States filed a warrant, Suva High Court Justice Deepthi Amaratunga approved an order allowing superyacht to be seized. However, judge h given defence counsel time to prepare for ir hearing.

In March, US Justice Department anunced formation of a team of federal investigators and prosecutors tasked with pursuing affluent Russians and ors who enable Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Task Force KleptoCapture was formed to capture assets belonging to oligarchs in order to put pressure on Russia to cease conflict.

Suleiman Kerimov is true owner of superyacht Amea: US

Suleiman Kerimov, according to US, is true owner of superyacht Amea. US sanctioned ecomist and former Russian politician in 2018 for alleged money laundering, and Cana, Europe, United Kingdom, and or countries followed suit when Russia inved Ukraine. Kerimov amassed a fortune through investing in Russian gold manufacturer Polyus, according to Forbes magazine. His net worth is estimated to be $14.5 billion.

After yacht arrived in Fiji from Mexico on April 19, High Court in Suva ordered that Amea t leave country until merits of US warrant to seize vessel were determined. Perhaps in response to ownership issue, court later ordered Fijian prosecutors to amend an original summons that only named Kerimov to include Millemarin Investments Ltd. as a second respondent to case.

For time being, yacht remains in a Fijian harbour, with its crew of about 25 rotating on and off vessel, and a police officer on board to ensure it stays put.  Amea is 106 metres long and was built in 2017, according to Boat International. It has a 5-ton stainless steel albatross extending from bow, a live lobster tank in galley, a 10-meter (33-foot) pool, a hand-painted Pleyel pia, and a big helip.

(With ncy inputs)

Im: AP