(Commonwealth_ Antigua’s government is facing a new legal hurdle following the recent sale of the superyacht Alfa Nero. The vessel, which was sold for $40 million less than two weeks ago, has already had its proceeds deposited in a bank, according to the government. However, a lawsuit has now been filed concerning the sale, with the former owner(s) aiming to claim the proceeds.
The Cabinet has dismissed the legal action as “frivolous,” stating that it will not hinder the government from fulfilling obligations incurred during the vessel’s ownership. Moreover, the administration remains committed to investing the overage in the construction of a hotel.
The Alfa Nero, a 267-foot luxury yacht, was originally abandoned in Antigua’s waters by Russian oligarch Andrey Guryev, a known associate of President Vladimir Putin. The yacht had been anchored in Antigua since February 2022 until the government seized it in April 2023 and subsequently auctioned it off. Since the seizure, the government has faced multiple legal challenges, primarily from Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, Guryev’s daughter, who claims ownership of the vessel and argues that the government had no right to seize it.
Cabinet Spokesperson Lionel Hurst expressed confidence in the government’s position, stating, “We have no doubt that the end result will be the same.” Hurst affirmed the government’s plans to utilize the funds, emphasizing the priority of settling debts with service providers who maintained the vessel.
“What we are doing first is to pay those people who provided or those enterprises that provided the services as well as the supplies that were necessary. They have to be paid and there’s going to be some overage, no doubt,” Hurst said. Despite earlier indications that some funds would be used to build a hotel, it now appears those plans may be reconsidered.
The legal battles surrounding the Alfa Nero highlight the complexities and challenges faced by the Antiguan government in dealing with high-value assets linked to controversial figures. The case of the Alfa Nero began when Andrey Guryev, under increasing international scrutiny and sanctions, abandoned the yacht in Antigua. The vessel’s presence became a matter of legal and financial concern for the Antiguan authorities, who ultimately decided to seize and auction the yacht to offset the costs of its maintenance and to generate revenue for the state.
The government’s decision to auction the yacht was met with swift legal action from Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, who claimed that the yacht legally belonged to her and that the Antiguan authorities had no jurisdiction to seize it. Despite these claims, the Antiguan government proceeded with the sale, emphasizing the need to address the financial liabilities associated with the vessel and to utilize the proceeds for public benefit.
The recent lawsuit aimed at reclaiming the sale proceeds adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The Antiguan government’s characterization of the lawsuit as “frivolous” suggests a firm stance against any attempts to reverse the sale or reclaim the funds. This stance is likely influenced by the broader geopolitical context and the pressure to enforce international sanctions and financial regulations against individuals linked to the Russian government.
Looking forward, the Antiguan government appears committed to moving past the legal challenges and focusing on the economic benefits that the sale of the Alfa Nero can bring. The mention of plans to construct a hotel with the overage from the sale indicates an intention to invest in long-term economic development projects that can provide sustained benefits to the local economy. However, the final allocation of these funds remains subject to the resolution of ongoing legal disputes and the government’s strategic priorities.
