The tiny nation of Antigua was so relieved to finally sell the abandoned Alfa Nero superyacht, whose maintenance had been draining its finances, that the Caribbean nation offered citizenship as a thank-you gift to the Turkish billionaire buyer and his entire family.

Alfa Nero is one vessel that’s difficult to forget. Not because it lacks luxury. The 267-foot Oceanco superyacht is truly outstanding and opulent, but because its legal entanglements often overshadow its elegance. Despite the sale of the vessel in March 2025, Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, daughter of the alleged former billionaire owner, demanded financial disclosures from Antigua’s Prime Minister and top officials regarding the $40 million transaction. The government sold the $120 million yacht to Turkish billionaire Ali Riza Yildirim.

Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua

Clearly displeased with the sale, Guryeva-Motlokhov filed a request in a U.S. federal court seeking access to the financial records of several high-ranking officials in Antigua and Barbuda, including Prime Minister Gaston Browne, his wife Maria Browne (the Minister of Housing), their son, the island’s general accountant, and its port manager.

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In response, Prime Minister Browne released official documents detailing the sale, per Antigua News. But what caught attention was an amusing tidbit noted by The Yacht Report; according to the documents, Mr. Yildirim, his wife Sevim Yildirim, and their son Taruk Yildirim would be granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda upon completion of the sale.

Whether the family has accepted this citizenship remains unknown, but it’s certainly an unusual perk for buying a superyacht, not to mention relieving the tiny island nation of a massive financial burden. As per the documents, of the $40 million, $4 million went to Northrop & Johnson as brokerage fees, and $36 million went directly to the government.

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The Alfa Nero was abandoned in Falmouth Harbor back in February 2022, where it remained until the government finally auctioned it off. During this time, the state paid a staggering $100,000 per month in upkeep.

But now, the tables have turned. The same superyacht, boasting opulent Art Deco interiors, an infinity jet pool with a glass waterfall that transforms into a dance floor, is back in action, commanding a staggering $812,500 per week for charter. How times change.