DOJ Issues Warrant To Seize Two Abramovich Jets Over Russia Sanctions

International sanctions on citizens form the basis for the order

Monday, June 13, 2022 at 04:44 PM ET

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The Gulfstream G650 ER of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich taking off from Zurich Airport on a cloudy winter day in January of 2022. [File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

A U.S. Magistrate Judge has approved the seizure of two aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER, belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
The seizure, valued at approximately $400 million, stems from international sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies against Russia due to the Ukraine conflict.
The Department of Justice's Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency group formed to enforce sanctions against Russian oligarchs, will lead the effort to seize the jets.
This action is part of a broader U.S. government strategy to hold Russia accountable for its actions, with the Department of Commerce also seeking additional penalties against Abramovich.

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave for the Southern District of New York signed a warrant last week to approve the seizure of two aircraft that belong to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The basis of the warrant stems from the international sanctions the U.S. and its allies have imposed on Russia and some of its citizens concerning the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

Per Judge Cave’s warrant that found cause for seizure and forfeiture, authorities will now attempt to seize a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER owned and controlled by Abramovich. Together, the jets are estimated to be worth $400 million.