On the occasion of the seizure of the oligarchic superyacht Amadea in 2022, the US Department of Justice said: “Russian oligarchs cannot even hide in the most remote corners of the world.” But US authorities now want to get rid of the 106-metre luxury ship as quickly as possible. The monthly costs for maintaining the yacht are simply too high.
The Amadea has six decks and a helipad and costs around 300 million euros. The seizure by US authorities was the result of sanctions against Russia and Russian oligarchs. Among the sanctioned businessmen is 57-year-old Suleiman Kerimov, who is said to have close ties to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
However, Amadea’s ownership structure is apparently not yet completely clear. Russian billionaire Eduard Chudainatov has been fighting for the yacht for months. He claims to be the rightful owner and demands that the US hand over the ship. Khudainatov, the former director of state gas company Rosneft, is not currently on any sanctions list.
The US government wants to auction yachts
Chudainatov, who is seen by the US merely as a “front man” to hide the true ownership structure, is trying to use legal means to prevent the Amadea from being released for auction. A court in New York has jurisdiction. But time is of the essence for the US government. She wants to get off the expensive ship as quickly as possible.
Terrible monthly costs
Court documents recently cited by Bloomberg news agency show that American taxpayers will have to pay around 560,000 euros per month for the crew and maintenance of the Amadea.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
