Italian officials seize a superyacht suspected of having ties to the Russian government

According to a news release published by the country’s financial police on Friday, Italian officials confiscated a superyacht suspected of having ties to the Russian government.

Since March, the Scheherazade has been investigated for suspected ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The news release stated that investigations “highlighted the presence of significant economic and business connections” between the owner of the yacht and “prominent elements of the Russian government.”

The owner of the yacht — whose name was not disclosed — also has connections with other Russians included in the EU’s list of those sanctioned for “actions that compromise or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine,” according to police.

“Based on these elements, the Financial Security Committee proposed to the Council of the European Union the inclusion of this person in the aforementioned list,” the news release continued.

Italy’s Finance Minister Daniele Franco has ordered a decree to freeze the vessel which bears the flag of the Cayman Islands and is docked in the Italian port of Marina di Carrara.

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