The department’s move targets one of the wealthiest Russian billionaires, who has already been forced to sell Chelsea Football Club in the wake of Moscow’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News
The United States Department of Justice has ordered the seizure of two aircraft owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, saying they had been used in violation of sanctions on Russia imposed over its invasion of Ukraine, media reported.
The DOJ said in court filings that the two aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and Gulfstream G650ER executive jet, had been flown into Russian territory earlier this year in violation of US export controls set for US-made aircraft on March 2, the AFP reported.
The department’s move targets one of the wealthiest Russian billionaires, who has already been forced to sell Chelsea Football Club in the wake of Moscow’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, it was reported.
Both aircraft, which the Justice Department valued at $400 million, are believed to be out of reach of US officials — in Russia and, for the Boeing, possibly in Dubai, according to media reports.
Abramovich, 55, built a fortune estimated by Bloomberg at $12.5 billion on oil, steel, aluminum and other industries, maintaining close relationships with top Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, the report added.
ALSO READ-Trump sues Hillary over Russia collusion accusations