The Civil High Court has fixed a hearing for the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) application to register a warrant issued by the U.S to seize the $700 million superyacht Amadea.

Yesterday, the case was heard by High Court Judge Justice Deepthi Amaratunga.

The DPP, Christopher Pryde, filed an ex parte originating summons in the High Court under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act.

The DPP also filed an application to register a warrant to seize the property and for a U.S warrant to seize the Amadea be registered.

Representing Superyacht Amadea’s registered owner Millemarin Investment Limited counsel Feizal Haniff outside the Civil High Court in Suva on April 21, 2022. Photo: Ashna Kumar

Feizal Haniff, representing Millemarin Investment Limited, the business registered to own the superyacht, told the court that he had been requested to appear in the proceedings on behalf of the registered owner.

He requested more time to file a joinder application on behalf of the registered company, which is a party in the case.

He said the DPP claimed that the beneficial owner of the superyacht was Suleiman Kerimov. However, the registered owner of the superyacht is Millemarin Investment Limited and not Suleiman Kerimov.

He also told the court that he had the superyacht’s registration paperwork and that the company wanted to be a part of the proceedings.

The counsel from the Office of the DPP, Jayneeta Prasad, told the court that the yacht was listed in the warrant but not the owner.

She told the court that the warrant was issued against Amadea in connection with Amadea’s seizure.

She also told the court that the yacht had been the subject of a warrant issued by the U.S because they suspected Suleiman Kerimov was the intended beneficiary.

She stated that the warrant signed by a U.S judge was valid until April 27, and that the application for the warrant’s sealing had been filed.

Mr Haniff then told the court that because there was an ownership issue, more time would be required for arguments.

Justice Amaratunga then asked the state prosecution whether there was a possibility of obtaining a warrant extension.

In reply, Ms Prasad said she could contact the U.S district attorney and seek an extension on the warrant, which would be valid for 14 days.

The state was also asked by Justice Amaratunga if the legal owner of the registered company might be regarded as a second respondent in the case.

Ms Prasad said yes, and would make the necessary amendments to accommodate the same.

Mr Haniff told the court that his client, Millemarin Investment Limited, opposed the affidavit and would need time to file it.

The judge then ordered the defendant to file the affidavit in opposition by Monday morning.

The matter was adjourned to April 25 for hearing.

Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho’s visit to the superyacht.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho visited the superyacht Amadea at the Port of Lautoka yesterday and spoke with the captain and crew members of the vessel.

“The meeting was to reassure the captain that we are looking after their humanitarian issues and any issues that might come up as we go through the process,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.

“The captain was content with how we had dealt with him and the crew and understood the entire process. They will await the outcome of the court proceedings.”

The captain and crew members are currently on the yacht, according to Brigadier-General Qiliho, with some movements for their administrative and logistics issues.

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