Fiji court rules US can seize Russian superyacht

Fiji's high court has ruled that the US government can seize a superyacht believed to be owned by a Russian oligarch who faces sanctions from the US and the EU, which is docked in the Fijian port of Lautoka.

Judge Deepthi Amaratunga granted the request from Fijian authorities to register and enforce U.S. warrants to seize the Amadea, which has been docked in Lautoka since April 13 and is believed to belong to Suleiman Kerimov, who is considered a close ally of Vladimir Putin.

The vessel with a crew of at least 25 was fined by Fijian authorities for breaching immigration regulations when entering Fiji in early April after an 18 day trip from Mexico.

The defence claimed that the yacht is owned by Eduard Khudainatov, who is not facing sanctions. Amadea s registered owners Millemaria Investment Ltd, the defence lawyer Faizal Hanif, asked the court for a stay on the ruling, expressing fears that the US authorities would sail the vessel out of Fiji.

The judge indicated he would grant a stay order and insist that the vessel remain in Fiji during the 30 day appeal period.

Fiji has backed off with widespread condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.