The U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday that a super yacht suspected to belong to Russian aristocrats had been seized by Fiji authorities at the request of the United States, with the aim of imposing sanctions on Ukraine.

The Amedia ship, valued at $ 325 million (approximately 310 million euros), is, according to Washington, owned by businessman and deputy Suleiman Kerimov, who is targeting European and American sanctions. According to Washington, Kerimov’s wealth comes from shares in major Russian energy and financial institutions, including Gazprom and Sberbank.

In Lotoka, western Fiji, Amedia has been frozen by Fijian authorities since mid-April, when a U.S. seizure warrant was issued. On Tuesday, a local court ordered the seizure, and it went strong.

“There is no hiding place for the assets of criminals who support the Russian government”U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “The Ministry of Justice will work tirelessly to hold those responsible for the deaths and destruction we see in Ukraine.”He added.

“This capture shows the corrupt Russian nobles who could not be hidden even in the most remote parts of the world.”Commented, for her part, Lisa Monaco, No. 2 of the U.S. Department of Justice. “We have in our eyes every boat bought with dirty money.”She confirmed.

Several specialized sites indicate that Suleiman Kerimov is the ownerAmedia, But the agency France-Press (AFP) could not independently confirm this. Millemarine Investment, a company registered as the owner of the boat, has appealed to the Fiji High Court against the seizure. According to the prosecutor before this court, a decision is expected on Friday.

Washington announced in March that it would form a cell dedicated to prosecution “Corrupt Russian nobles” Of all those who violate the sanctions adopted by Washington against Moscow. After that, the Americans have “Ships and aircraft worth more than a billion dollars have been sanctioned and intercepted, and billions of dollars worth of Russian elites have been frozen in American accounts.”, According to the White House. President Joe Biden hopes that these assets can be liquidated and the money used to repair the damage done to Ukraine.