Amadea: The yacht US seized from a Russian oligarch, which he spends $1 million a month maintaining | War in Ukraine | the world

The Amadea is a US$230 million superyacht that was seized by Fijian authorities in April 2022 at the request of the Department of Justice. America. Because? It is owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov and the first months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Then, the US retaliated against the allies of the Russian president Vladimir Putin and went for his things.

Today the luxury yacht is docked San Diego, CaliforniaAnd his Maintenance Cost to taxpayers America Almost a million dollars a month. total, The cost since its capture has exceeded $20 millionAccording to court documents published by the US press.

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Monthly expenses Amadeus Its $600,000 to operate includes: $360,000 for personnel, $75,000 for fuel and $165,000 for maintenance, waste disposal, food and other costs. There is also a monthly cost of $144,000 in insurance and special charges.

Because of those high costs, federal prosecutors have asked the judge for permission Sell ​​the boatNews Network reported CNN.

“Taxpayers paying US$1 million a month to maintain Amadia is excessive These costs could be reduced to zero through the sale,” the lawyers said in a filing earlier this month.

Legal dispute

But can this seized boat be sold legally? According to CNN, Eduard Kudaynatov Y Miller's Investments have come forward to claim superyacht. They opposed the sale and said the judge should not allow it until their motion to dismiss the civil forfeiture case is decided.

According to US network CNBC, the US has alleged that the boat belongs to it Suleiman KerimovLawyers Eduard KudaynatovFormer general director of a Russian state company Rose NapidClaiming that he is the owner, they are trying to recover the boat.

“They have offered to reimburse the expenses incurred in maintaining the government Amadeus in exchange for its return. That offer stands. keep Amadeus It's certainly expensive, and plaintiffs never want American taxpayers to bear that burden. “But knowing the costs to the American taxpayer, the government made the wrong decision to seize it,” the court documents state.

Who is Suleiman Kerimov?

Suleiman Kerimov is a Russian businessman One who is part of the inner circle Putin.

According to BBC Mundo, of humble origin, Kerimov went from being an economist to becoming one of the richest oligarchs during the Soviet era. And with better connections with higher level powers Russia.

He used his wealth to buy assets in the energy sector and major stakes in Russian banks after their collapse. Soviet Union, indicates BBC Mundo. He made 21 billion US dollars by investing in a gas company Gazprom And inside SberbankRussia's largest state-owned bank.

According to the published information BBC In 2022, Kerimov He used a structure to hide his wealth and assets.

Documents accessed by British media revealed how a Swiss tattoo artist became the front man of a company that transferred more than $300 million to companies. Suleiman Kerimov.

They also show how USD 700 million worth of transactions and luxury properties went unnoticed.

On July 26, 2020, Forbes Magazine

Suleiman Kerimov has a net worth of $21.3 billion.

Also, a Swiss accountant Alexander Studalter He showed himself to be the owner of the properties he actually owned Kerimov.

Kerimov He was the hidden owner of many of them The French Riviera And inside LondonIncluding the most expensive semi-detached house ever sold in the UK, according to the scheme Pandora Russia DocumentsThe BBC broadcast was led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The BBC has also emphasized Suleiman Kerimov He appeared with the President in February 2022 with Twelve Millionaires Putin. Russian tanks passed by in those days Ukraine.

Since 2018 it has been subject to restrictions America For being “an officer of the Government of the Russian Federation” and a member of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.

On March 15, 2022, the United Kingdom government and the European Union defined “A member of the circle of oligarchs” is intimate A poutine.

How about Amadea?

He Amadeus It is a 106 meter long superyacht The bow has a helipad, a swimming pool decorated with mosaics, a winter garden and a cinema room on deck. The width of the boat is 18 meters.

It was built by a German shipyard Lursen and awarded in 2017.

A crew of 36 is required to operate the boat And 8 luxury rooms can accommodate 16 guests.

It is one of the largest yachts in the worldwith a displacement of 4,402 tonnes.

The boat reaches a maximum speed of 20 knots and maintains a speed of 14 knots.