US investigators: Russian oligarchs are trying to circumvent sanctions

American investigators found evidence that the Russian oligarchs are trying to circumvent the sanctions. In an interview with the news agency,ReutersEven those not yet targeted are evading future sanctions by trying to transfer assets, the head of the Justice Department’s new task force, Andrew Adams, said. Adams heads the new task force, KleptoCapture, which was formed last month to target Russia’s oligarchy and put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Adams told the news agency: “There are movements – some known to the public – to move movable property in the form of yachts and planes (…) to countries that are seen as more difficult to investigate and freeze assets. Despite attempts to hide their assets, oligarchs continue to face ” Record levels” of international cooperation “Especially in the current context and climate…I think the level of shared ambition is at an all-time high,” Adams told Reuters.

The US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to the Insider’s request. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have drawn up multiple lists of sanctions against Russia, including Putin’s inner circle. The fortunes of the oligarchs are often difficult to track because they often hide behind companies that exist only to own assets and not to do business.

Read also

The 84-year-old mother of a punishing Russian politician owns the corridors of Germany

But despite their reputation that some sites are “safe havens” to hide assets, they have provided information to US prosecutors. Adams did not provide details about the specific jurisdictions that provided them with the information. Nor did he reveal any names under investigation.

The task force is ready to enter into long-term confrontations with the oligarchy who want to prevent the United States from confiscating their assets. “We should expect wealthy plaintiffs to go to court,” Adams said. “We will be engaged in legal battles that will continue for a while.”

“The United States is not a good place for oligarchs to stop their money here,” Adams said in an interview with Reuters. “The most prominent assets are not in the United States,” he said. The superyachts belonging to the Russian oligarchs have already been confiscated in other European countries such as Italy, France and Spain. The UK recently seized a yacht, but its owner remains unknown. A cruise port operator is said to be at risk of violating sanctions rules for docking Roman Abramovich’s $600 million luxury yacht in Turkey.

This text has been translated from the English by Lisa Ramos Dossi. You can find the original here.

Read also

On the sanctions list: Italy seizes a luxury bulletproof car belonging to “Putin’s favorite oligarchy”.