US files claim on Russian-owned superyacht Amadea
The US seeks ownership of Russian-owned superyacht Amadea.
The US Justice Department is seeking the forfeiture of superyacht Amadea which it says is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.
The 106m (348ft) yacht is docked in San Diego after being seized under a warrant in Fiji in May 2022 as the US took action against individuals close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to his war on Ukraine.
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Kerimov took beneficial ownership of Amadea, which is valued at about $300m, in September 2021 through a series of transfers between shell companies, said Monday’s filing in New York.
He is accused of violating sanctions by continuing to pay substantial sums in maintenance and improvement payments through US financial institutions.
‘Real and meaningful consequences’
US Attorney Damian Williams, for the Southern District of New York, said the move shows the US “takes sanction evasion seriously“, and stressed it will “use all tools at its disposal” to hold sanctioned individuals “accountable for their crimes”.
Michael Khoo, co-director of Task Force KleptoCapture, the agency responsible for enforcing sanctions, added: “The United States brings this action today after a careful and painstaking effort to develop the necessary evidence showing Suleiman Kerimov’s clear interest in the Amadea and the repeated misuse of the US financial system to support and maintain the yacht for his benefit.
“Getting to this point required extensive cooperation across the US government and with foreign partners. It underscores our resolve to undertake challenging, cross-border investigations and to send a message to Russian oligarchs and their enablers: if you flout the rule of law, you can expect to pay real and meaningful consequences.”
Billionaire Kerimov, who has a stake in Russian gold producer Polyus, was sanctioned in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia’s activities in Syria and Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Amadea – The story so far:
2023
October 23rd: US Justice Department seeks forfeiture of Amadea through filing in New York court.
2022
June 7th: Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court of Fiji overrules High Court’s judgment, allowing authorities to seize Amadea and take it to the US.
June 1st: The New York Times article
The New York Times publishes its investigation into Imperial Yachts, the management company of Amadea. Evgeniy Kochman, owner and CEO, Imperial Yachts, was added to the international sanctions list the following day.
May 27th: Court of Appeal dismisses appeal
The Court of Appeal dismisses the appeal by Millemarin Investments on the registration of the US warrant to seize Amadea, while upholding the High Court orders granted earlier to Christopher Pryde, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
May 12th: Court of Appeal hears Millemarin’s appeal
Millemarin Investments appeals the ruling of the High Court approving the seizure of the vessel.
May 6th: Suva High Court rejects stay of execution
The Suva High Court in Fiji refused an application by Millemarin Investments for a stay of execution of a US warrant to seize the yacht. A stay of execution is a court order to suspend the implementation of a court judgment temporarily.
The Court of Appeal granted Millemarin Investments an ex parte application staying the High Court’s orders. An ex parte is when one party asks the court for an order, such as an order changing a hearing date, without the usual notice to the other parties involved, typically to give them time to prepare an opposition.
May 5th: Amadea yacht seized
Fijian law enforcement seized Amadea following the High Court’s approval of the warrant.
May 3rd: High Court grants warrant
Suva High Court Justice, Deepthi Amaratunga, granted the US warrant to seize the vessel.
April 25th: Justice Deepthi Amaratunga hears the case in Suva High Court
Pryde (DPP), appears before Suva High Court, requesting Amadea be ordered to remain in Fijian waters.
April 19th: The US formally asks Fiji to seize the yacht
Pryde, (DPP), files a summons in the High Court, asking that the Amadea is stopped from leaving Fiji and asking for the US warrant to be registered.
April 13th: FBI identifies yacht to be owned by sanctioned Suleiman Kerimov
The FBI states that the yacht is owned by sanctioned Russian, Suleiman Kerimov and requests a warrant for the seizure of property subject to forfeiture.
April 6th: Lisa O. Monaco, Deputy Attorney General, delivers remarks on enforcement actions to disrupt and prosecute Russian criminal activity
She said: “As Russia and its aggression continues, we have our eyes on every yacht and jet, we have our eyes on every piece of art and real estate purchased with dirty money and on every Bitcoin wallet, filled with the proceeds of theft and other crimes. Together with our partners around the world, our goal is to ensure that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and cybercriminals will not find safe haven.”
March 2nd: Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General, announces the launch of Task Force KleptoCapture
“The Justice Department will use all of its authorities to seize the assets of individuals and entities who violate these sanctions,” he said. “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war. Let me be clear: if you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable.”
February 24th: Russia invades Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin announces the start of a military campaign in Ukraine. The US, EU, and the UK add high-profile Russian oligarchs and entities to sanction lists.
2021: Amadea sold
April 2018 6th: US Treasury designates Russian oligarchs, officials, and entities to sanctions lists
Kerimov was sanctioned. Steven T. Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary, Office of Foreign Assets Control, said “Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their government’s destabilising activities.”
2014: Imperial Yachts advises buyer on the construction of Amadea.
