The mega-yacht Shéhérazade at the port of Marina di Carrara, immobilized by the Italian authorities, on May 6, 2022 (AFP / Federico SCOPPA)
A mysterious mega-yacht worth an estimated $700 million (636 million euros) whose owner’s name has not been made public and which appeared to be on the way out, was immobilized on Friday by Italian authorities .
The investigation by the Italian authorities “has established significant economic and business links between the person who officially owns the ship Scheherazade and eminent Russian government figures” as well as Russian figures sanctioned by the West. following the invasion of Ukraine, says a statement from the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Following this investigation “the Minister of Economy and Finance Daniele Franco signed a decree of immobilization” of the ship, adds the press release.
In dry dock for several months in the Italian region of Tuscany, the ship was launched and seemed ready to leave, an AFP photographer noted on Friday.
Released from the German Lürssen shipyards in 2020, the “Scheherazade”, 140 meters long, has two helicopter platforms, a swimming pool, a cinema and an anti-drone battery, believe the administrators of the SuperYachtFan site, who present themselves as investigative journalists.
The big question remains: who owns the “Scheherazade”? A Russian oligarch or someone even higher? As long as it’s a Russian…
The press release from the Italian ministry does not specify the identity of the owner.
The team of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny attributes this sea monster to Vladimir Putin.
The mega-yacht Shéhérazade at the port of Marina di Carrara, immobilized by the Italian authorities, on May 6, 2022 (AFP / Federico SCOPPA)
It is based in particular on a list of crew members including several members of the FSO, the Russian federal service for the protection of personalities.
False, retorts The Italian Sea Group, which took care of the maintenance of the ship in its yard.
“The ownership of + Scheherazade + cannot be attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin”, reacted in a press release the company, which says it relies on “the documentation in its possession and the results of the checks carried out by the competent authorities”.
© 2022 AFP
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