Fiji investigates arrival of Russian oligarch's superyacht

Police questioning captain after appearance of vessel without Customs clearance

Two superyachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich were spotted on the Turkish coast on Tuesday, 'Eclipse' and 'My Solaris'. Mr Abramovich is among several wealthy Russians added to an EU blacklist as governments act to seize their yachts and other luxury assets. AP

'My Solaris', a superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, is pictured in Bodrum, south-west Turkey. Reuters

A 68-metre luxury yacht called 'Ragnar', owned by a former KGB officer Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, is pictured at the quay in Narvik, north Norway. AFP

The 'Axioma' superyacht belonging to Russian oligarch Dmitrievich Pumpyansky at a port in Gibraltar. Reuters

'Crescent', which is believed to belong to Russian oligarch Igor Sechin, is seen docked at Marina Port Tarraco in Tarragona, Spain. Reuters

The yacht 'Tango', owned by Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, at Palma de Mallorca Yacht Club on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Reuters

The 48m long, St Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged yacht 'Lady Anastasia', owned by Alexander Mijeev, moored at a dock in Mallorca. AFP

Superyacht 'Valerie', linked to chief of Russian state aerospace and defence conglomerate Rostec Sergei Chemezov, at Barcelona Port in Spain. Reuters

The 142.81m sail-assisted motor yacht 'Sailing Yacht A', owned by Russian tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, in front of Monaco harbour. Reuters

'Dilbar', a luxury yacht owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, sails in the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

'La Datcha', owned by Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov, docked at the port in Ensenada, Mexico. Reuters

'Lady M', owned by Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, docked at Imperia's harbour. AFP

Superyatch 'Amore Vero,' which French authorities have said is linked to Rosneft's CEO Igor Sechin, is seen at La Ciotat Port near Marseille in France. Reuters

'Quantum Blue', Russian billionaire Sergei Galitsky's yacht, docked in the port of Monaco. AFP

The world's largest expedition yacht, 'Luna', owned by Roman Abramovich, at the port of Sibenik in Croatia. Shutterstock

The luxury 68m superyacht 'Triple Seven,' owned by Alexander Abramov, on the River Thames in London. EPA

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Fiji is investigating the arrival of the luxury superyacht Amadea, which is thought to be owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov.

Police are questioning its captain on how he brought the boat to the Pacific island nation without Customs clearance.

Fiji newspapers reported that police had seized the 106-metre vessel Amadea, which is thought to be worth $325 million, and detained its crew.

A superyacht agent in Fiji, who said he represented Amadea, told Reuters the reports were “not fully factual including ownership of the vessel “.

“I do not know who the owner is. There is evidence being released to the police in Fiji,” the agent, Chase Smith of Baobab Marine, told Reuters.

He said two sets of lawyers were handling the situation and he continued to act for Amadea and its crew.

Mr Kerimov has been sanctioned by the US, UK and EU over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, seen here in 2017, has been sanctioned by the US, UK and EU over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. AFP

An official at the National Police Command and Control Centre confirmed to Reuters the captain of the vessel, which arrived on Tuesday, was being questioned about how it came to Fiji without Customs clearance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, country's lawmakers and businessmen have faced wide-reaching sanctions after the invasion, which Moscow calls a special military operation, while European countries have seized property including villas and boats.

The US Embassy said it was aware Amadea had docked in Fiji's Lautoka port and the Embassy was co-operating with Fijian authorities on the matter.

“The United States is committed to finding and seizing the assets of the oligarchs who have supported the Russian Federation’s brutal, unprovoked war of choice against Ukraine,” the Embassy said.

“We and several of our EU partners have already frozen or seized many assets of these oligarchs. We are working closely with governments and private sector partners in Europe, and the entire world, including Fiji, on this issue.”

Commissioner of Police, Brig Gen Sitiveni Qiliho, told the Fiji Sun newspaper the Attorney General's office had been contacted by a foreign government requesting assistance in a criminal matter, and Fiji had agreements with other countries to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

The EU delegations in Fiji had also requested cooperation, the Fiji Times reported.

Fiji had been alerted to the approach of Amadea before it moored at Lautoka Wharf, the media reported.

An official in Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's office declined to comment saying it was an internal matter for the Fiji government.

Superyachts entering Fiji are required to apply for health clearances before departing the previous port and submit other Customs documents three days before arriving in Fijian waters.