NEW YORK aEUR: Monday’s U.S. authorities took two luxury jets aEUR”, a $60 million Gulfstream aircraft and a $350million private plane believed to be among the most expensive in the world aEUR”, after they were linked to Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch.
A federal magistrate judge signed an order authorizing the seizure the Gulfstream and a Boeing plane that was valued at less than $100 million prior to a lavish customization.
This action comes just days after the United States announced new sanctions against Russian oligarchs, elites, Kremlin officials and businessmen connected to President Vladimir Putin, as well as their yachts, aircraft, and companies that manage them.
After Russia’s February invasion, President Joe Biden said that he would pursue Russian elites “ill-gotten gains.”
A representative of Abramovich didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated Monday in a release that his office used every legal tool to address “Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.”
He said that “our international partners aEUR”, nations dedicated to the rule of laws aEUR”, far outnumber those countries where these aircraft can safely hide. Therefore, our investigation into illegal exports violating U.S. Law will not be halted.”
Matthew S. Axelrod is the assistant secretary of commerce in export enforcement. He stated that the Commerce Department has made recent changes to make its enforcement actions regarding unusual export controls resulting from the invasion.
He stated that the actions “provide notice to the whole world of our commitments to enforce those controls aggressively and transparently.”
Andrew Adams, who is a prosecutor in the United States pursuing Russian oligarchs’ assets, stated that Monday’s public action was meant to remind members of the financial, insurance and aviation industries that these aircraft are contaminated property.
Justice Department officials claim they have received strong support by companies and organizations, as well as from countries that were in the past viewed with suspicion as safe havens to store illegal assets.
Abramovich, who sold his stake in Chelsea, a Premier League soccer club in London, was one of the richest Russians whose assets were being monitored for violations of sanctions following the invasion by Ukraine.
An FBI agent explained that the planes were being seized because they were moved without licenses. This was in violation of the sanctions against Russia.
According to the affidavit Abramovich was the one who controlled the Gulfstream through a number of shell companies. According to the affidavit, the plane was believed to have been in Moscow from March 15.
According to the affidavit, the Boeing is now believed to be in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), following a roundtrip March 4 flight between Dubai and Moscow.
