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The
move came as western states are implementing massive sanctions,
including asset freezes, against Russia for invading its
neighbour Ukraine. A separate nearly $600 million luxury yacht
owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has also been
seized, by German authorities, Forbes reported.
The 88-metre "Amore Vero" arrived in La Ciotat on Jan.3 and was
due to stay there until April 1st for repairs, the finance
ministry said in a statement, adding that the vessel was subject
to the new sanctions.
But on Wednesday, customs officers noted the yacht was "taking
steps to sail off urgently, without the repair works being
over," the statement said, adding that the officers therefore
decided to seize it.
The finance ministry said the yacht belongs to a company whose
main shareholder is Sechin, a close ally of Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
The superyacht was built by Oceanco in the Netherlands and
delivered to its owner in 2013, according to
yachtcharterfleet.com, which says its onboard features include a
beauty salon and gym. It sails under the flag of the Cayman
islands, according to Eikon data.
"Thank you to the French customs officers who are enforcing the
European Union's sanctions against those close to the Russian
government", Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in a Tweet.
Separately, French authorities on Thursday also seized a
Russian-owned cargo vessel in the port of Lorient, Brittany.
(Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Writing by Tassilo
Hummel and Ingrid Melander; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
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