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:

U.S. authorities have obtained a warrant to seize two luxury aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and a Gulfstream G650ER, valued at approximately $400 million, belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
The seizure is a direct consequence of international sanctions imposed on Russia and its citizens due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The DOJ's Task Force KleptoCapture, established to enforce these sanctions against Russian oligarchs, will execute the seizures as part of an ongoing effort to hold Russia accountable, with the jets currently located in the UAE and Russia.

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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.