
The United States announced on Friday that it had indicted two men suspected of helping a Russian oligarch under US sanctions avoid the seizure of his superyacht, AFP reported.
Richard Masters, a 52-year-old Briton, was arrested in Spain for extradition, while Vladyslav Osypov, a 51-year-old Russian-Swiss citizen, remains at large, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The two men are accused of helping Viktor Vekselberg, a close associate of Putin, hide his ownership of the Tango yacht, which is estimated to be worth $90 million.
The head of the Moscow conglomerate “Renova Group” was included in the list of oligarchs who fell under US sanctions in 2018 after Russia’s invasion of Crimea.
American justice accuses Richard Masters, who runs a shipping company in Palma de Mallorca, that he renamed the ship “Fanta” in order to continue cooperation with American suppliers.
US sanctions prevent US companies and their subsidiaries from doing business with targeted entities.
“Osypov and Masters advised and allowed Tango employees to continue doing business with U.S. companies using several schemes to circumvent sanctions, including payment in currencies other than the dollar and through intermediaries,” the report said.
The Tango, a 78-meter vessel, was finally seized in April by Spain at the request of the United States.
In March, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States announced the creation of a unit to pursue “corrupt Russian oligarchs” and anyone who violates Washington’s sanctions against Moscow.
Source: Hot News

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