Kirsty Neham

SYDNEY (Reuters). Fiji authorities seized a yacht for America, which was pressing Russia to invade Ukraine. Documents found by the FBI implicated Suleiman Kerimov in violating U.S. laws.

After an 18-day trip from Mexico, Amadea arrived at Fiji on April 13th. Since then, it has been the subject of U.S. attempts to seize her as part of U.S. sanction against Russia.

Fiji Police and FBI Agents seized Amadea on Thursday at a wharf, just two days after Fiji Court issued a warrant from the United States linking it with money laundering.

Fiji’s High Court is expected to decide Friday whether or not the superyacht, worth $300 million, can be transferred from Fiji.

In an attached affidavit to the U.S. seizure order, the FBI stated that Fiji authorities found documents on Amadea that were in violation of U.S. Law because Kerimov had been sanctioned in 2018.

According to the FBI, “There are probable grounds to believe Kerimov or others acting for him and his benefit caused U.S. Dollar transactions for operation and maintenance Amadea to go through U.S. Financial Institutions after a period when Kerimov was identified by the Treasury Department.”

According to the ship’s owner, running costs ranged from $25 million up to $30 million.

Lawyers representing the registered owner of superyacht, Cayman Islands firm Millemarin Investments have claimed that it is not owned by Kerimov. Feizalhaniff, the vessel’s attorney, did not respond to Reuters.

Although the U.S. claims that Kerimov beneficially owns the Amadea from August 2021 to date, the warrant did not contain any evidence.

FBI stated that the Amadea was trying to stay away from being taken “almost instantly” by Russian troops after they entered Ukraine.

According to the FBI, “Amadea shut down its automated information system (AIS) almost immediately following the Russian invasion in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.”

Russia refers to its actions against Ukraine as “special operation”, aimed at disarming Ukraine and protecting it from fascists. Both the West and Ukraine claim the fascist allegations are baseless, and they agree that the war in Ukraine is an unprovoked attack.

The paperwork of the vessel indicated the Philippines as the next destination. However, the FBI believes it was going to Vladivostok, a Russian Pacific port.

According to the FBI, many Russian oligarchs tried to relocate their yachts from Russia in an attempt to escape U.S. sanction since March.

Taskforce KleptoCapture, a U.S. Justice Department taskforce focused on seizing luxury yachts and assets in order to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war in Ukraine.

Christopher Wray, FBI Director, commented on the seizing of Amadea, Fiji. He said that the FBI and its international partners will continue to pursue those who aid Russia’s malign activity. They will ensure their convictions, no matter where or how they hide.