The United States was authorized on Monday to seize a Boeing 787-8 aircraft and a Gulfstream G650ER owned and/or controlled by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, according to an arrest warrant from the District Court for the Southern District. from New York.
The court ruled that the planes be seized and confiscated based on probable cause of violations of the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) and recent sanctions issued against Russia.
The Boeing and Gulfstream were re-exported to Russia (that is, taken from a foreign country to Russia) in violation of ECRA and the regulations issued under it, including recent sanctions on Russia.
Boeing flew to Russia on March 4, 2022 without a BIS license and without a license exception, and is now in the UAE. The Gulfstream flew to Russia on March 12 and 15, 2022 without a BIS license and without a license exception, and remains in Russia.
Boeing and Gulfstream are owned and/or controlled by Roman Abramovich, a Russian national, through a number of shell companies in Cyprus, Jersey and the British Virgin Islands.
“Today’s statement and warrant demonstrate the Southern District’s commitment to using all available legal tools to enforce sanctions and export controls imposed in response to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.
The Gulfstream, registered LX-RAY and manufacturer serial number 6417, is believed to be worth approximately $60 million. The Boeing, with registration P4-BDL and manufacturer serial number 37306, is believed to be worth approximately $350 million.
The investigation was coordinated through the Department of Justice’s KleptoCapture Task Force, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the broad sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners , imposed in response to the unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.
“These wealthy Russian oligarchs helped foster an environment that allowed Russia to continue its deadly war in Ukraine. Seizing their valuable assets, including these two aircraft, is just one way for the US government to hold accountable those who violate the laws of US and support Russia in its attempt to conquer a sovereign nation,” said FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll.
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