The United States on Monday ordered the seizure of two planes belonging to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovichalleging that they were used in violation of the sanctions on Russia imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
The Justice Department maintained in legal documents that the two aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER business jetflew into Russian territory without respecting US export controls set on March 2 for US-made aircraft.
The devices, valued at more than $400 millionare of American origin and their owner, billionaire Roman Abramovich, took them to Russia in March without requesting a special re-export license, according to the US prosecutor’s office.
“The controls Export and re-export Trade are strong and they must be respected. They are a critical component of the US strategy to deprive Russia of the means to fuel its illegal war,” prosecutor Andrew Adams told reporters.
Adams leads a new Justice Department task force dubbed “KleptoCapture,” charged with investigating and prosecuting violations of the sanctions adopted against Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine and of organizing the seizure of the assets of the oligarchs.
“The short-term goals (…) are to demonstrate strong enforcement of the sanctions regime, incentivizing people close to the Kremlin to distance itself from the Russian state as it continues to escalate the war,” Adams added during a teleconference.
The The Department of Justice did not say where they are currently. the two planes. According to the media, the Boeing could be in Dubai and the Gulfstream in Russia.
“We will take measures to carry out the seizure and we will be watching to see if they change jurisdictions,” Adams said.
Significant financial penalties
The seizure order describes in detail how Abramovich controls the two planes through a series of shell companies.
Parallel to the order, the US Department of Commerce published a letter officially accusing Abramovich of knowingly violating US restrictions that seek to block the export of specific technologies and goods to Russia.
Abramovitch faces charges that can lead to significant financial penalties of up to twice the value of the “export” transaction, notes the letter from the Commerce Department, suggesting that US authorities could seek sanctions greater than the value of the two planes.
The Boeing is, according to the Department, “one of the most expensive private jets in the world, worth approximately $350 million“The Gulfstream was purchased in March 2020 for around $60 million by a company identified as belonging to Abramovich, it added.
The measure of this Monday, announced by the New York division of the Department of Justice, targets one of the richest Russian billionaireswhich was already forced to sell the English football club Chelsea after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Abramovich is not among the Russian personalities and entities sanctioned by the United States. However, it is on the European Union’s blacklist after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It may interest you. Listen to The World Today:
–
