Seized superyacht linked to Russian oligarch arrives in San Diego Bay
The Amadea yacht, linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov andseized by the Fiji government at the request of the U.S., arrives in Honolulu on June 16 en route to San Diego. Photo: Eugene Tanner/AFP via Getty Images
A seized superyacht U.S. officials say is linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov has arrived in San Diego Bay.
Driving the news: The 348-foot-long Amadea, valued at $325 million, was seized by officials in Fiji in May. The yacht flew the U.S. flag as it passed retired aircraft carrier USS Midway and under the Coronado Bridge, per CBS News.
What they're saying: "After a transpacific journey of over 5,000 miles, the Amadea has safely docked in a port within the United States, and will remain in the custody of the U.S. government, pending its anticipated forfeiture and sale," said a Justice Department statement after the vessel's arrival Monday.
The big picture: The Justice Department created a task force in March to enforce sanctions, including asset seizures, placed on Russian officials for facilitating the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
- Lawyers for Millemarin Investments, Amadea's registered owner, have denied that Kerimov is the owner, but a court in Fiji ruled in May that the U.S. could seize the yacht.
Flashback: Kerimov was designated by the U.S. Treasury as an official in the Russian government and sanctioned in 2018 for alleged money laundering and tax evasion both in the United States and the European Union.
By the numbers: Most of his wealth comes from his 76% stake in Russia's biggest gold producer, Polyusost, per Forbes.
Go deeper: How many Russian oligarchs' yachts have been seized so far