A luxurious superyacht, the Amadea, previously owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, may soon be auctioned after a US judge dismissed a competing ownership claim from Eduard Khudainatov, former head of Rosneft. The $300 million vessel, seized by US authorities in Fiji, has been docked in San Diego. Prosecutors allege Khudainatov was merely a “straw owner,” with Kerimov being the true owner, given his close ties to President Putin and previous sanctions. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, US efforts to seize oligarchs’ assets intensified, with potential auction proceeds slated for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
New York:
A lavish superyacht previously owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov might soon go to auction after a US judge ruled on Monday to dismiss a rival ownership claim regarding the $300 million vessel.
The 348-foot (106-metre) Amadea has been moored at the California port of San Diego since being confiscated by US officials from the sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Eduard Khudainatov, a wealthy Russian and former head of the state oil and gas company Rosneft, asserted his claim as the legitimate owner of the yacht in a New York court, but his appeal was rejected by District Judge Dale Ho.
Prosecutors allege that Khudainatov is merely a “straw owner” for the Amadea, with Kerimov being the actual owner. Kerimov is a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has been sanctioned by the US since 2018, with additional sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In the wake of the invasion, the US Justice Department, under then-president Joe Biden, initiated a campaign to seize assets belonging to Russian oligarchs affiliated with Putin, known as Task Force KleptoCapture.
Former President Donald Trump disbanded the task force after assuming office.
Last year, the US Congress enacted legislation permitting the sale of confiscated Russian assets, directing the proceeds to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
The Amadea, featuring a helipad, swimming pool, jacuzzi, and a “winter garden” on deck, was seized in Fiji in April 2022 at the request of US authorities and subsequently transported to San Diego.
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