Russian oligarch’s luxury yacht seized in Spain at US’ request

The Russian, Viktor Vekselberg, has shut ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his case marks the primary seizure by a newly fashioned US process drive that is devoted to cracking down on sanctions violators in response to Russia’s battle in Ukraine.

The US Justice Division mentioned the $90 million superyacht, dubbed “Tango,” was seized based mostly on alleged violations of US financial institution fraud, cash laundering and sanctions statutes. Its seizure occurred on Spain’s Mallorca island within the Mediterranean, based on court docket paperwork.

The US decide who allowed the seizure, Justice of the Peace Choose Zia Faruqui, issued a scathing eight-page order through which he cited Putin’s “homicide of civilians” and destruction of Ukraine’s cities.

“The Division of Justice’s seizure echoes the message of the courageous Ukrainian troopers of Snake Island,” Faruqui wrote.

DOJ particular unit

US Lawyer Normal Merrick Garland mentioned Monday’s seizure “is not going to be the final.”

“Collectively, with our worldwide companions, we’ll do every little thing potential to carry accountable any particular person whose legal acts allow the Russian authorities to proceed its unjust battle,” he mentioned in a press release.

One other $625,000 unfold throughout 9 totally different banks was frozen as a part of investigations into sanctions violations by Russian nationals, based on the division.

The DOJ introduced final month that it was launching a particular unit to assist implement sanctions in opposition to Russian authorities officers and oligarchs, concentrating on their yachts, jets, actual property and different property.

The unit, known as KleptoCapture, consists of prosecutors and federal brokers and consultants in cash laundering, tax enforcement and nationwide safety investigations from the FBI, the IRS, the US Marshals Service, and the US Postal Inspection Service.

This story has been up to date with extra particulars.