US Treasury Department adds yachts and brokerage firm to sanctions list – Robb Report
Six other superyachts and a European yacht brokerage firm believed to be linked to Russian oligarchs have been added to the US sanctions list, according to a statement published by the US Treasury Department.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said yesterday that the Russian pavilion Gracious and flying the flag of the Cayman Islands Olympia were yachts in which Russian President Vladimir Putin had an interest, in particular for having made voyages on these vessels. The bureau also targeted two other yachts with financial ties to Putin, Shellest and Negawhich belong to the non-profit Russian partnership Revival of Maritime Traditions.
Monaco-based Imperial Yachts is the first yacht brokerage firm added to the US sanctions list. OFAC said Imperial’s Moscow offices provided “yacht-related services to Russian elites, including those in President Putin’s inner circle.”
Sailboat A, which was seized by Italian authorities in April, is owned by Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko; His motor yacht A remains in Dubai (opening image).
Courtesy PA
The release adds that the 446-foot flying foxa yacht already on the sanctions list, was also connected to Imperial Yachts.
“Imperial Yachts has been the target of numerous baseless and inaccurate accusations following events unrelated to this family business and its services,” the company said in a statement sent to Robb report. “The accusations leveled against us by the US government and in the press are false. We will pursue all available legal remedies to resolve this matter promptly. »
Meanwhile, the number of seized yachts continues to rise. by Andrei Melnichenko Sailboat A was seized in Italy by the Guardia di Finanzia in March, while his Motor Yacht A is now in Dubai. The UAE does not confiscate Russian yachts. The super yacht Amedee was seized in Fiji in April, but remains in the midst of a legal battle. Last Friday, the United States won the last round to obtain clearance to sail Amedee out of the country, claiming it belongs to Suleiman Kerimov, a Russian oligarch close to Putin. Lawyers fighting the US seizure say it belongs to Eduard Khudainatov, another Russian who is not on the sanctions list. The Fijian Court of Appeal granted 10 days before their order could be enforced, presumably to give the lawyers time to appeal to the Fijian Supreme Court.
The 435 feet. Flying Fox has been linked to Imperial Yachts, which is now on the US sanctions list. The Monaco-based yacht services company denies any wrongdoing.
Courtesy of Imperial Yachts
Yesterday the Treasury Department also named two other yachts, Mrs Gu and Sea Rhapsody, as belonging to Russians on the sanctions list.
Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said cooperation to prosecute Russian oligarchs on the US sanctions list was increasing.
“This is a huge step forward in international cooperation to hunt down assets, to freeze them and to continue investigations and law enforcement activities, including seizure activities,” he said. added. Rosenberg told the New York Times. She added: “It will limit Russia’s ability to make money to support its war effort.”