The United States announced on Friday that it has charged two men suspected of helping a Russian oligarch avoid the seizure of his superyacht and circumvent US sanctions.
Richard Masters, a 52-year-old Briton and Vladislav Osipov, a 51-year-old Russian-Swiss, are accused of having helped Viktor Vekselberg, a close ally of Putin, to conceal that he was the owner of the yacht “Tango”, whose the value is estimated at $90 million.
American justice accuses Richard Masters, who manages a shipping company in Palma de Mallorca, of having renamed the ship “Fanta”, in order to continue to work with American suppliers. The US sanctions effectively prevent US companies, and their subsidiaries, from doing business with the targeted entities.
“Osipov and Masters advised and allowed Tango employees to continue doing business with American companies, using several schemes to circumvent sanctions, including paying in currencies other than dollars and through intermediaries. “, According to the press release.
The vessel seized
Richard Masters has been arrested in Spain for extradition and Vladislav Osipov is on the run, the justice ministry said in a statement. The Tango, a 78 m long boat, was seized in April by Spain at the request of the United States.
Washington announced in March, after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the creation of a cell dedicated to the prosecution of “corrupt Russian oligarchs” and all those who violate the sanctions adopted by the White House against Moscow.
Viktor Vekselberg, leader of the Renova Group, a Moscow-based conglomerate, was placed in 2018 on the list of oligarchs targeted by American sanctions following the invasion of Crimea by Russia in 2014.