Attempts to sell the Amadea have so far always failed. And so the American government is paying for the maintenance costs of the Russian superyacht.
US authorities seized the 106-metre yacht, believed to be owned by oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, in May 2022. A consequence of the measures taken against Russia due to the war in Ukraine. But that costs the US government a lot of money, 7 million dollars a year to be precise.
The government has tried several times to auction the ship, but this has been challenged by Eduard Khudainatov, who headed the Russian oil and gas company Rosneft from 2010 to 2013. He claims ownership of the Amadea and says that it cannot be forfeited because he was not imposed any sanctions.
But prosecutors say Kerimov violated US sanctions by paying more than $1 million in maintenance for the Amadea through the US, and the ship could be forfeited as a result.
Who is the owner?
However, until a decision has been made, the ship remains in the hands of the US and they therefore remain responsible for its maintenance. Last Friday, federal prosecutors in Manhattan called the cost “excessive,” saying it was enough to justify the auction. But the talks that were underway with Khudainatov to make him pay for the maintenance are said to have been canceled. However, that maintenance is crucial to maintain the value of the Amadea. According to the American owner, Khudainatov would only want to become owner because he works with Kerimov, the real owner.
Khudainatov has now been given until February 23 to respond to prosecutors’ request. He previously called the sale of the ship “premature” and first wanted to check whether the seizure was constitutional, according to a statement from his lawyers.
Money to Ukraine
The seizure came as the United States and Europe increased sanctions on people close to Vladimir Putin, aiming to build pressure in the hope that Russia would abandon its war against Ukraine. According to Reuters, the US wants to transfer the money from the auction to Ukraine afterwards.
Kerimov and his family are worth $10.7 billion, according to Forbes. He amassed his fortune through the Russian gold mine Polyus, but is no longer a shareholder.