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

Topline

U.S. officials are attempting to seize a superyacht docked in Fiji that they suspect is owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire and politician Suleiman Kerimov, as part of a wider Western effort to seize valuable property owned by people with close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime.

Key Facts

According to Reuters, Fiji’s top public prosecutor Christopher Pryde filed an application to the country’s High Court on Tuesday seeking a restraining order to prevent the vessel from leaving Fiji.

The superyacht known as Amadea is believed to be owned by Kerimov, a member of the Russian Senate who made his fortune by betting on Russia’s largest gold producer, Polyus.

In his filing, Pryde wants the restraining order to remain in place until a U.S. warrant to seize the property is registered, according to the Reuters report.

The seizure request is being opposed by a superyacht agent in Fiji who contests that Suleiman is the owner of the Amadea, the report adds.

Both the senior Kerimov and his son, Said, who is Polyus Gold’s majority shareholder, have been targeted by Western sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Big Number

$13.7 billion. That is the current net worth of Suleiman Kerimov and his family, according to Forbes’ real time tracker.

Key Background

Foreign assets owned by Russian oligarchs have been among the key items targeted by Western sanctions since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. 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. Last week, French authorities disclosed they had seized 41 properties linked to sanctioned Russian individuals worth nearly $620 million.

Further Reading

U.S. seeks to seize superyacht in Fiji from suspected Russian owner (Reuters)

The Forbes Ultimate Guide To Russian Oligarchs (Forbes)

Biden And Allies Are Coming For Russian Billionaires’ Yachts: Forbes Tracked Down 50. Here’s Where To Find Them (Forbes)