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French authorities seize Russian billionaire's yachts

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by brian eiland, Feb 21, 2011.

  1. brian eiland, Feb 21, 2011
    #1
    brian eiland

    brian eiland Senior Member

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    Two yachts belonging to Boris Berezovsky, a foe of Vladimir Putin, are valued at US$20m

    French authorities said they have seized yachts belonging to Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky. The seizures of two yachts on French Riviera came at the request of Russian prosecutors who said they are pusuing Berezovsky for fraud.


    Berezovsky fled to Britain in 2000, after falling out with then-president Vladimir Putin. Moscow has demanded his extradition but the British government granted him political asylum in 2003.

    An anonymous court source told AFP that seizing the two boats was part of a Russian investigation into fraud, money-laundering and an apparent conspiracy charge which French officials described as "criminal association."

    The boats include a 49m (160-foot) yacht and a smaller vessel at Golfe-Juan. "The question is what to do next. Either Russian seamen will take them via the Black Sea, or they will leave them here. But there is no question of us paying for their upkeep," local prosecutor Jean-Michel Cailleau told AFP. The value of the yachts is estimated at US$20m. Paintings belonging to Berezovsky were also seized.

    https://plus.ibinews.com/
  2. C4ENG, Feb 21, 2011
    #2
    C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    Motor Yacht Radiant, the 110m Lürssen yacht
  3. GrahamF, Feb 21, 2011
    #3
    GrahamF

    GrahamF Senior Member

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    It Cant Be M/Y Radiant as i just saw her Yesterday here in Spain
  4. K1W1, Feb 21, 2011
    #4
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Since when was a 110m Lurssen yacht that is less than 2 yrs old worth $20 Million when combined with another one?

    Boris was the original Owner of it for sure but it was sold prior to completion to the current Owner who is in no way affiliated to BB.
  5. nmna, Feb 21, 2011
    #5
    nmna

    nmna Senior Member

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    Perhaps it was the old Radiant, now Lightning.
  6. C4ENG, Feb 22, 2011
    #6
    C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    I Googled the story and that is what the other news web sites where showing pics of.
  7. super termoli, Feb 23, 2011
    #7
    super termoli

    super termoli New Member

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    Thunder B - 50m Oceanfast and Eol B - Leopard 34m... maybe those two?
  8. nmna, Feb 23, 2011
    #8
    nmna

    nmna Senior Member

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  9. super termoli, Feb 23, 2011
    #9
    super termoli

    super termoli New Member

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    BTW, Radiant is not owned by Berezovsky, he commissioned her but sold her to a Saudi family before she was completed...
  10. super termoli, Feb 23, 2011
    #10
    super termoli

    super termoli New Member

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    Lightning = Sunseeker Superhawk 50...
  11. K1W1, Feb 23, 2011
    #11
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    The info that BB wasn't the Owner of Radiant was posted here.

    http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/121723-post4.html

    AKAIK the Owners who took her over from BB were not from Saudi but very close to there.
  12. super termoli, Feb 23, 2011
    #12
    super termoli

    super termoli New Member

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    correct. the present owner is from UAE...
  13. AffrayedKnot, Feb 23, 2011
    #13
    AffrayedKnot

    AffrayedKnot Senior Member

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    Clearly not Eol B... this 2005 34m has secure UK ownership.

    The 2007 34M Leopard "Ancora" was initially bought on spec by a Russian investor, having never stepped aboard he subsequently relinquished the vessel to the Leasing Underwriter when the market went south. The Bank sold Ancora this past fall.
  14. super termoli, Feb 23, 2011
    #14
    super termoli

    super termoli New Member

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    Wasn't Leopard 34 Eol B once owned by BB? I seem to remember that she was sold a couple of years ago but I thought BB was the first owner? I think he also had (or still has?) a Mangusta 108...
  15. AffrayedKnot, Feb 23, 2011
    #15
    AffrayedKnot

    AffrayedKnot Senior Member

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    Greetings Super T - thanks for the past info on PM.

    It certainly is possible that BB may have traded Eol B for the M108.

    Eol B came to her current owners through a financial settlement with Rodriguez, along with five (5) other vessels. Eol B was the only unit in the settlement that was not considered a new vessel, although the remainders were non-current model years.

    So yes, your understanding of her history is plausible.
  16. K1W1, Feb 23, 2011
    #16
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    What do you mean by this?

    As BB is living in exile in the UK I am sure he has his tentacles in many holes and corporations any of which could be the entity in the blue book.
  17. AffrayedKnot, Feb 23, 2011
    #17
    AffrayedKnot

    AffrayedKnot Senior Member

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    The 2005 Leopard 34 "Eol B" is owned by an entity with no such ties to "BB" and controlled by subjects of the UK. The controlling parties are solid, secure and above reproach. In addition to their philanthropic interest, they are very avid yachtsmen/women with a most impressive fleet. Very well known and respected.

    If that's a siren you hear, don't bother looking for the sapphire lights. It may simply be the po-po from mogambo chasing the seven triplets floating graffiti.