Fiji Judge Rules That U.S. Can Seize Superyacht Linked To Russian Oligarch Kerimov, But Not Before Friday

Topline

A judge in Fiji provisionally ruled in favor of U.S. officials seeking to seize a superyacht docked in the country that they suspect is owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire and politician Suleiman Kerimov, part of a wider Western effort to seize property linked to people with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“We continue to ratchet up the pressure on Putin’s oligarchs and we are working with allies and partners to go after corrupt gains from some of the individuals closest to Putin, no matter where they are held around the world,” the U.S. Embassy in Suva said in a statement. The embassy added that it was working to impose costs on Russia because of its “war of choice.”

Key Background

Last month, Fiji’s top public prosecutor Christopher Pryde filed an application to the High Court seeking a restraining order to prevent the vessel from leaving Fiji. Amadea had sailed into Fiji from Mexico and the judge ordered that it would not be allowed to leave the country until the U.S. warrant to seize the vehicle was fully examined. Kerimov and his son, Said, who is Polyus Gold’s majority shareholder, have been targeted by Western sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Europe, officials have managed to seize luxury yachts owned by several Russian billionaires with close ties to Putin’s regime, including oil baron Igor Sechin and mining magnate Alisher Usmanov.

Big Number

$15.6 billion. That is the current net worth of Suleiman Kerimov and his family, according to Forbes’ real time tracker.

Further Reading

Fiji says US can seize Russian superyacht but not right away (Associated Press)

U.S. Officials Trying To Seize Superyacht In Fiji Allegedly Linked To Russian Gold Magnate Kerimov, Report Says (Forbes)