Germany seizes world’s largest superyacht 

Berlin: Germany has confiscated the world’s largest superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, police sources said Thursday.

Forbes magazine values the 156-metre-long “Dilbar” at $600 million (555 million euros).

The boat has been docked in a Hamburg shipyard since October.

Due to a legal dispute over ownership, German customs had been eyeing the superyacht for weeks but couldn’t seize it.

The German Federal Judicial Police announced that “after lengthy investigations, and in spite of concealment via offshore companies, in identifying the owner of the M/S Dilbar and it is Gulbakhor Ismailova, the sister of Alisher Usmanov”.

“The luxury yacht is now under the sanctions regime and so could be confiscated in Hamburg,” police said on Twitter.

European sanctions target Russian oligarchs and their families, including the billionaire’s sister.

Usmanov was ranked 6th richest person in UK by Sunday Times in 2021.

He is one of dozens of Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the West since Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Everton FC suspended sponsorship agreements with several companies owned by Usmanov on Wednesday.

The “Dilbar” is the latest in a string of Russian superyacht seizures under Western sanctions.

Also Read

Fiji investigates ‘criminal matter’ on Russian superyacht

SUVA, Fiji: Fiji police said Thursday they had received a "criminal matter"...