The United States is close to auctioning the superyacht Amadea, owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, in an attempt to confiscate assets. A judge determined that another Russian claimant lacks legal standing in the case, clearing the way for the auction of the luxurious 106-meter yacht.
The yacht was seized in Fiji in 2022 by the United States, which claimed that Kerimov was the owner. However, a claim emerged from Eduard Khudainatov, former head of Rosneft, asserting that he is the legitimate owner and not subject to U.S. sanctions.
The Amadea is part of the Biden administration's efforts to confiscate assets linked to Russian oligarchs close to President Putin. Despite the dissolution of the task force led by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, government lawyers continued with the case.
Adam Ford, Khudainatov's attorney, plans to appeal the judge's decision, arguing that his client is the legitimate owner and the seizure of the yacht is illegal. Since its custody in San Diego, the maintenance of the Amadea has cost American taxpayers nearly $750,000 per month.
District Judge Dale Ho ruled in favor of the government, indicating that the evidence supported that the ownership of the Amadea was linked to Kerimov, not to Khudainatov. With an estimated value of about $300 million, the luxurious yacht features amenities such as a beauty salon, a swimming pool, and eight suites.
