Sanctioned oligarch Alisher Usmanov can’t enjoy the summer like the billionaire is used to. His mega yacht “Dilbar” is still stuck in Hamburg – and despite the lawsuit, little will change.
The summer vacation doesn’t just fall through for many average Joes: at the end of June, the extremely wealthy oligarch Alisher Usmanov filed a lawsuit with the European Court of Justice to have the sanctions against him lifted. Within a few days, the incumbent president of the court decided very quickly in the preliminary proceedings that the application should be dismissed. So the fight for the “Dilbar” continues.
Usmanov applied for the suspension of the proceedings against him, i.e. essentially the suspension of the execution of the decision, i.e. the sanctions. The oligarch, on the other hand, has been cracking down on the relevant lists, to which his name was added at the end of February, just after the Russian invasion began.
Already upon his resignation as President of the World Fencing Federation FIE he wrote: “I believe that this decision is unfair and the reasons given to justify the sanctions are a series of false and slanderous allegations that mean honour, my dignity and my business reputation.”
“Mr. Usmanov is a pro-Kremlin oligarch”
As part of the decision, the court recalled why Usmanov ended up on the sanctions list. Quote: “Alisher Usmanov is a pro-Kremlin oligarch who has particularly close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has been called one of Vladimir Putin’s favorite oligarchs. He is considered one of Russia’s official businessmen, responsible for managing financial flows, however, whose position depends on the will of the President.Mr Usmanov would have acted as a front man for President Putin and solved his problems in the sphere of the economy.According to FinCEN files, he paid Vladimir Putin’s influential advisor Valentin Yumashev $6 million.Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and former President and Prime Minister of Russia, benefited from personal use of luxurious residences controlled by Mr. Usmanov.”
In summary, it goes on to say: “He therefore provided active material or financial support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine.”
The court sees no urgency
The court also found that the request failed to establish urgency or “serious irreparable” damage. According to the judge, Usmanov only invoked damage relating to the financial viability of three USM subsidiaries in which he holds a 49% stake and therefore does not control them.
According to the court, he was also unable to prove that there was a direct connection between the financial situation of the subsidiaries and his inclusion in the EU sanctions list.
The court told the star that the oligarch has not yet lodged an appeal against the decision. But: The lawsuit is still ongoing, even if a date for an oral hearing in this main case is currently pending.
Because two procedures must be distinguished: The main procedure (or legal action) and the preliminary legal protection procedure. So far, the court has only ruled on the latter. The same applies to two identical cases involving his two sisters, Gulbakhor Ismailowa and Saodat Narsiewa.
Is there a second yacht?
The blog “Luxurylaunches” writes that Usmanov need not worry about not being able to travel by sea this year. According to the report, he has another yacht called “Alaiya” (IMO 1013016), which has been sailing around the world unmolested to date.
However, it is doubtful that the “Alaiya” (formerly the ship was called “Tis” and “Lady Gulya”) really belongs to Usmanov. Industry insiders such as “Superyachtfan” and “Yachtbible” report that the Lürssen ship has passed through numerous hands and has belonged to the Indian multi-billionaire Lakshmi Mittal since 2021. He is said to have bought it from Usmanov long before the invasion.
The fact that Usmanov does not own the “Alaiya” is also indicated by the current whereabouts of the ship. The 111-metre yacht is currently moored off the Greek island of Syros in the Aegean – within EU reach.
Quellen: European Sanctions, InfoCurie, FIE, Luxurylaunches, Superyachtfan, Yachtbible
