As unsure as a young adult in love is the case of Suleiman Kerimov’s $325 million Amadea’s seizure. The will they, won’t they, questioning continues as a Fiji court has suspended the execution of a U.S. warrant from seizing the 347-feet ship. The United States had a victory to celebrate after clearing the air about the ownership of the lavish megayacht Amadea. At the time, the Fiji court ruled in favor of the United States, which stated sanctioned tycoon Suleiman Kerimov owns Amadea. Earlier, lawyers of the sanctioned oligarch asserted that U.S. or Fiji authorities could not capture the vessel as it belongs to Eduard Khudainatov, as stated by the registered owner, Millemarin Investments.
Once this was tackled, Fiji’s High Court ruled it would grant an order to register a U.S. seizure warrant. As per Republic World, the Fijian court’s judgment has been put on hold until at least Friday while defense lawyers file an appeal. After the United States filed a warrant, Suva High Court Justice Deepthi Amaratunga approved an order allowing the superyacht to be seized. However, the judge had given the defense counsel time to prepare for their hearing.
What’s Amadea’s current status?
The to and fro in the case of luxury vessel Amadea has been maddening. Just when we thought the U.S. had achieved their landmark victory came this unexpected sabbatical that might save the lavish ship. Russian tycoon Suleiman Kerimov, who holds a 76% stake in Russia’s biggest gold producer, Polyus, could witness the tides changing in his favor if his legal team manages the monumental task.
It is believed Amadea is looked after by a crew of 25 who take turns for its upkeep. Additionally, a police officer is permanently stationed onboard to ensure the Amadea doesn’t sail away.
The authorities have indeed learned their lesson with the example of the 460-ft megayacht Scheherazade. The giant luxury vessel was preparing for a voyage as it stood ready, refueled, resupplied, and refloated, with the protective screen removed. The Italian authorities took no chance and seized Putin’s $700 million Scheherazade megayacht just in time. Amadea, on the other hand, is 4,402 GT of sheer elegance and has no plans to go anywhere. The 347-feet luxury boat flaunts a helipad, pool, Jacuzzi, and winter garden on its sun deck. At the request of its owner Kerimov, Amadea was designed to look beautiful. That explains the double-height atrium, Pleyel grand piano, leather-book-clad walls, and hand-painted Michelangelo clouds on the ceiling.
According to VOA News, the Court of Appeal “granted an interim stay on the execution of the warrant,” said a spokeswoman for Fiji’s office director of public prosecutions. “The yacht has been further restrained from leaving the Fiji waters until further notice,” she added. “It is in Fiji police custody at this point.”
