Ukraine war: Italy orders the seizure of a $700 million yacht linked to Vladimir Putin by the media | World News
The Italian government has ordered the seizure of a $700m (£530m) luxury yacht that has been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the media.
The six-deck Scheherazade has been under repair at the Italian port of Marina di Carrara since September, but recent activity at the dock suggests the crew may be preparing to set sail.
It is one of the largest and most expensive yachts in the world believed to be associated with Russian billionaires, has two helipads and can accommodate up to 18 guests and 40 crew.
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The Italian Finance Ministry said in a statement that investigations revealed that the owner of the boat had ties to “prominent elements of the Russian government” and to people sanctioned by the European Union.
The owner of the Scheherazade has never been publicly identified, but there have been rumors that it belongs to Mr. Putin or a member of his inner circle.
A source with direct knowledge of the ship investigation told Reuters that Italian police believe the owner is Eduard Khudainatov, a former director of Russian energy giant Rosneft who is not currently a target. EU sanctions.
The finance ministry did not name the owner, but said it had asked the European Union to add him to its sanctions list and had ordered the yacht to be seized pending a decision.
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In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Italian authorities to seize the yacht Scheherazade as well as other assets believed to be linked to Russian oligarchs.
Other countries including the United States and authorities in Gibraltar have seized yachts and large yachts whose owners have connections to Putin and Russian oligarchs.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some Western countries, including the US, have focused on seizing yachts and luxury properties owned by Russians.
