Fiji probes Russian superyacht on ‘criminal matter’

Fiji police said Thursday they have been asked for help on a “criminal matter” related to the superyacht Amadea, reportedly owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov who is a target of Western sanctions over the Ukraine war.

Police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said the luxury yacht had sailed from Mexico or South America and berthed in Lautoka, Fiji on Tuesday without obtaining customs clearance.

A request for assistance in dealing with a criminal matter was made to the Fiji government by a “foreign counterpart”, he said, without detailing who the request came from or its exact nature.

Police were investigating whether there had been any customs or immigration breaches as well as probing possible drugs, arms or money laundering issues, he said.

“Our investigations will cover all those areas. If those things should be declared they have to be declared. There are clear-cut guidelines stipulated that those yachts coming in have to conform to.”

The Amadea is worth $325 million, according to the website superyachtfan.com, which tracks the luxury vessels of the rich.

Various yacht-tracking sites list Kerimov as the owner but this could not be independently confirmed. Kerimov is a target of sanctions by the United States and European Union over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.