U.S. Spends $20 Million To Maintain Seized Russian Oligarch's Superyacht

The US government is expending nearly $1 million per month to maintain a lavish superyacht seized from a sanctioned Russian oligarch, as part of the Justice Department's efforts to exert pressure on the Kremlin.

Currently docked in San Diego, the upkeep for the Amadea has incurred significant costs. I Photo: Sukkoria

Kara Scannell reported for CNN, revealing the substantial costs associated with the upkeep of the 348-foot Amadea.

Seized as one of the initial trophies in a task force campaign aimed at holding Kremlin-friendly Russians accountable, the yacht was confiscated while docked in Fiji in 2022, in a joint operation involving local authorities and the FBI.

Suleiman Kerimov, its alleged owner, amassed his wealth in the gold industry and is accused by US prosecutors of violating sanctions by utilizing the US banking system to fund the vessel's expenses.

Currently docked in San Diego, the yacht's upkeep has incurred significant costs. Federal prosecutors have petitioned a judge for authorization to sell the yacht, citing its exorbitant maintenance expenses, which have totaled approximately $20 million.

Recent court filings indicate that the vessel's appraisal stands at $230 million, according to the US Marshals Service.

Prosecutors argue that it is unjustifiable for taxpayers to bear such substantial costs, advocating for the vessel's sale to mitigate ongoing expenses.

The ongoing saga surrounding the Amadea underscores the complexities of international sanctions enforcement and the lengths to which authorities are willing to go to disrupt illicit financial activities linked to sanctioned individuals.

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