The oligarch Alexei Kouzmitchev, close to Vladimir Putin, obtained the lifting of the freezing of one of his yachts immobilized since March in Antibes (Alpes-Maritimes) within the framework of the sanctions adopted by the European Union after the invasion of Ukraine. In an order dated Wednesday, the Paris Court of Appeal canceled the freezing report for irregularities and consequently canceled “the visit and seizure operations relating to the places to which this report refers.”
“The court confirms that the customs had made a visit in defiance of the applicable regulations,” Alexei Kuzmitchev’s lawyer reacted. “This decision is the triumph of the law over improvisation, dictated by obscure political considerations,” added Me Philippe Blanchetier. Customs, for its part, did not want to react or specify what this decision specifically implied for this ship, baptized “La Petite Ourse”.
A 24-meter yacht, at 4 million euros
“La Petite Ourse”, 24 meters long, had been frozen in Antibes on March 16 and would have a value of four million euros, according to a source familiar with the matter, questioned at the time of its immobilization. On March 21, another of Alexei Kuzmitchev’s yachts, “La petite Ourse II”, 16.5 meters long and valued at 1.2 million euros, according to the same source familiar with the matter, had been immobilized in Cannes. The oligarch also challenged this freezing and a decision is expected from the Rouen Court of Appeal on this issue.
Alexei Kuzmitchev “is a major shareholder in the Alfa Group conglomerate, which includes Alfa Bank, one of Russia’s largest taxpayers,” according to the European Union, which placed him on the sanctions list on March 15.
The nearly 60-year-old “is considered one of the most influential people in Russia, with well-established ties to the Russian president,” the EU said in a document detailing the list of those sanctioned. “Vladimir Putin’s eldest daughter, Maria, led a solidarity project, Alfa-Endo, which was financed by Alfa Bank,” the EU also specifies.
Source: BFM TV
