‘Putin’s mega-yacht’ impounded in Italy
Italian authorities impounded a mega-yacht that allegedly belongs to Vladimir Putin, amid speculation that it was about to sail away from the marina where it has been berthed. Daniele Franco, the finance minister, signed a decree that freezes any movement of the Scheherazade, a 140-metre-long vessel with spas, a cinema and helipads that is worth around €650 million (£555 million). Police found evidence that the vessel was linked to the Russian government.
ITALIAN authorities last night impounded a mega-yacht that allegedly belongs to Vladimir Putin, amid speculation that it was about to sail away from the marina where it has been berthed.
Daniele Franco, the finance minister, signed a decree late last night that freezes any movement of the Scheherazade, a 140-metre-long vessel with spas, a cinema and helipads that is worth around €650 million (£555 million).
The minister acted after the Guardia di Finanza, the finance and customs police, announced they had found evidence that the vessel was linked to elements in the Russian government.
Without naming any names, they said there were “significant economic and business links” between the yacht and Russians hit with EU sanctions – which includes President Putin.
On the basis of these findings, Mr Franco ordered the asset to be frozen.
“The vessel, which flies under the flag of the Cayman Islands and is berthed in Marina di Carrara, has been for some time under the scrutiny of the relevant authorities,” the police added.
The yacht has been berthed in the busy port on the coast of Tuscany for months. The Daily Telegraph saw crew members bustling about the deck this week, amid speculation that the ship was preparing to head for the open sea.
Italian police had been trying for weeks to find out who owns the yacht. Activists and investigative journalists linked to Alexei Navalny, the imprisoned Russian opposition leader, are convinced it belongs to President Putin.
They obtained information which suggested that many of the yacht’s crew were members of the Federal Protection Service, the agency that provides security for President Putin.
Marina di Carrara, which is backed by sheer mountainsides scarred by centuries of marble mining, is in a part of Tuscany that has become popular with wealthy Russians.
About 12 miles to the south is the upmarket resort of Forte dei Marmi, which is packed with expensive restaurants offering menus in Russian and boutiques selling Armani, Versace and other designer labels.