The Fijian law enforcement seized a $300 million Superyacht Amadea owned by Russian oligarch Sulieman Kerimov at the request of the U.S. Department in May 2022.
The FBI and Fijian law enforcement worked together in the process to seize the yacht.
Superyacht Amadea: Key Features
Superyacht Amedia is a 348-foot luxury yacht with an estimated price of approximately $300 million.
Superyacht Amadea stands as an opulent yacht, measuring an impressive 348 feet in length, and is privately owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. This luxurious vessel was constructed by Lurssen in 2017, with its design envisioned by Espen Oeino, while the sumptuous interiors were curated by Zuretti Interior Design.
In terms of accommodation, the Amadea caters to the desires of up to 16 guests, offering them lavish comfort in its 8 splendid cabins. It also has a dedicated crew of 36 individuals with their quarters comprising 18 well-appointed cabins.
Superyacht Amadea has the capability to reach a top speed of 20 knots, courtesy of its robust MTU engines.
Seizure Details of Superyacht Amadea
The Fijian law enforcement seized the yacht in May 2022 following the allocation of a seizure warrant from the U.S. Department.
The FBI and Fijian law enforcement worked together to seize the yacht. FBI reportedly found evidence implicating Kerimov in U.S. Crimes.
The yacht was registered to Millemarin Investments, which contended that Kerimov was not the actual owner of the ship and opposed the seizure.
Eventually, a legal battle took place with an attorney for the company owning the vessel arguing that Amadea was actually owned by a different wealthy Russian, who was not under U.S. Sanctions.
Afterwards, the Fijian court ruled in the DOJ’s favour, and the yacht was towed to the U.S.
According to the FBI, superyacht Amadea has annual operating and maintenance costs of between $25 million and $30 million.
Who is Suleiman Kerimov?
Suleiman Abusaidovich Kerimov is a Russian billionaire, oligarch, and politician of Lezgian origin. He was born on March 12, 1966, in Derbent, Dagestan, USSR.
Kerimov has close ties to Vladimir Putin’s government in Russia, as well as Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader.
He entered politics in 2008 and has represented Dagestan in Russia’s Federation Council since then.
Kerimov is a trained economist and has made a career investing in various industries. He is also associated with a sprawling financial network and is one of Russia’s wealthiest men.
He is married and has three children.
Why was Suleiman Kerimov sanctioned?
He was designated as part of a group of Russian oligarchs who profited from the Russian government through corruption and its malign activity around the globe, including the occupation of Crimea.
Suleiman Kerimov was also designated for being an official of the government of the Russian Federation and a member of the Russian Federation Counsel.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order (E.O.) 13661 and E.O. 13662, authorities codified by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), as well as E.O. 13582.
The US Treasury Department blocked over $1 billion in a trust that Kerimov and his proxies used to hold formal title to assets and conduct transactions in a shell company.
FAQ – Superyacht Amadea
Q.1 Who owns the Amadea?
Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov owns the Superyacht Amadea.
Q.2 What are some unique features of the Amadea?
The Amadea has a private cinema that offers a 4D experience, a helipad that can accommodate a craft of up to 3.5 tonnes and a hand-painted Pleyel piano that decorates the main saloon.
Q.3 Why was Superyacht Amadea seized?
The Amadea was seized by Fijian law enforcement in May 2022, at the request of the United States Department of Justice, following the issuance of a seizure warrant from the U.S. The FBI and Fijian law enforcement worked together to achieve the seizure, and the FBI reportedly found evidence implicating Kerimov in US crimes.
