UPDATE: The US government has just announced the auction of the luxurious $325 million superyacht, the Amadea, seized from Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov. This stunning 348-foot vessel is set to be sold by sealed bid on September 10, 2023, in San Diego.
This extraordinary yacht, which costs nearly $1 million a month to maintain, offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for potential buyers. It features state-of-the-art amenities across its six decks, including a gym, a 32-foot swimming pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, a private cinema, and even a helipad.
According to Bob Toney, chairman of National Maritime Services, “This is perhaps the most spectacular, exacting, and beautiful ship any of us will ever see.” He emphasizes that opportunities like this are exceedingly rare.
Bidders must submit a deposit of 10 million euros (approximately $11.6 million) to qualify for the auction. The Amadea was seized off the coast of Fiji by the FBI and local law enforcement in May 2022, following sanctions on Kerimov.
A representative from Fraser Yachts, which is handling the sale, stated the yacht remains “virtually untouched” since its seizure and that buyers can expect a “substantial discount on the original price.”
This auction signals a broader crackdown by US authorities on assets linked to corrupt Russian oligarchs. As Lisa Monaco, former US Deputy Attorney General, stated in a May 2022 press release, “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide — not even in the remotest part of the world.”
With the auction just days away, interest is expected to surge among affluent buyers looking to own a piece of luxury history. The Amadea stands as a symbol of the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the implications for those entangled in financial misconduct.
Stay tuned for more updates as the auction date approaches. This is a developing story that reflects the intricate ties between wealth, power, and international law.
