Fiji confiscates a luxury yacht from a Russian billionaire under penalty of sanctions

Fiji media reported that police confiscated a luxury yacht belonging to a Russian billionaire on Thursday.
The 106-meter “Amadea” luxury yacht, owned by gold magnate Suleiman Karimov, worth about $325 million, docked in Fiji on Tuesday.

The United States, Britain and the European Union imposed sanctions on Karimov, who is considered one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies, over the Russian attack on Ukraine.
The crew members of the yacht “Amadea” are being questioned by the police, the Fiji Sun newspaper reported.
Police Commissioner Sitivini Kelehu told the Fiji Sun newspaper that the luxury yacht docked in Fiji before obtaining customs clearance.

Kelleho added that Fiji is working with its foreign partners on sanctions against Russia.
According to Fiji’s port requirements, any yacht arriving in the country must obtain approval from the Ministries of Health, Trade and Transport, including the Immigration Department.