A US judge has approved the confiscation of two of the private planes of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, valued at more than $ 558 million, for violating U.S. export laws and sanctions.
The planes, a Gulfstream and a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, believed to be one of the most expensive private jets in the world, are in Russia and Dubai, according to an affidavit from an FBI agent to support the embargo order.
The Commerce Department also announced administrative charges against Abramovich. If held responsible, the maximum penalty could be as much as the value of the aircraft, said a government official.
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U.S. actions are part of an effort to punish Russians known for being close to the Kremlin and pressuring Moscow’s economy to try to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Although Abramovich has not been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, a Justice Department official said the embargo order states that “no one is above the and not being on the OFAC list does not give you a license to evade sanctions or export controls. “
Authorities say U.S.-made planes entered and left Russia without obtaining licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Aircraft and aircraft parts are subject to export regulations due to their potential military use and national security implications.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the U.S. Department of Commerce tightened sanctions and began demanding licenses to export aircraft, which previously did not need approval.
In early March, U.S. officials also banned a Russian-owned U.S. aircraft from being exported to Russia.
US authorities have decided to confiscate two luxury planes owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. (Photo by AP / Matt Dunham)
In an unusual move, the embargo order was made public and not sealed. The Justice Department official said the presentation was public to reveal the names of fictitious companies that the U.S. believes were used to protect real property and to encourage dialogue with banks, insurance companies and others to cooperate. .
The official said he also intended to send a message to anyone who would help those sanctioned or accused of violating U.S. laws who run “the risk of being seen as obstructors.”
“In the affidavit, the FBI agent described four layers of fictitious companies he had discovered to track the plane to Abramovich.
The filing indicated that the FBI had located documents used to establish companies abroad, in jurisdictions beyond U.S. control and outside of its subpoena power.
These documents indicated that Abramovich was the owner of the companies that had bought the planes.
A Gulfstream jet similar to that of the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. (Gulf Stream)
Authorities say the Gulfstream plane flew to Russia twice in mid-March, where it remains.
In early March, the Boeing plane flew from Dubai to Russia and back to Dubai, where it remains.
The Boeing, originally bought for $ 130 million, was customized and is now valued at about $ 488 million, according to the FBI affidavit.
Andrew Adams, head of the U.S. KleptoCapture task force, which has confiscated two luxury yachts and bank accounts, said earlier that they are taking a broad look at the laws they can enforce and the types of assets they can confiscate, regardless of where they are located.
“These seizures will continue at a good pace, and people recognize that where seizures are occurring around the world are in the pockets of the world that may not have been expected,” he said earlier, adding: safe havens. “