How the Left Tackles Russian Oligarchs - EU Sanctions Probe Links Luxury Superyacht Dilbar to Oligarch Usmanov
The luxury superyacht Dilbar, allegedly linked to Kremlin-friendly oligarch Alisher Usmanov, has been at the centre of a legal dispute and investigation. The €600 million yacht, impounded under EU sanctions, was recently searched by German authorities.
In March 2022, the Left Party in Hamburg called for the seizure of the Dilbar, claiming it belonged to Usmanov. However, the yacht's ownership has been disputed. A lawyer's letter stated Usmanov is not the owner, contradicting earlier reports and sanctions that linked the yacht to him. The current legal ownership remains unclear.
The Dilbar, worth €600 million and spanning 156 meters, was impounded and later towed to its home shipyard in Bremen. Federal police raided Usmanov's villa on Lake Tegernsee in September 2022, investigating suspected money laundering, tax evasion, and sanctions violations. The Dilbar was also searched during this time, initially linked to Usmanov's sister, but this claim was later retracted.
The Dilbar's ownership and Usmanov's alleged links to the yacht remain under investigation. The EU has accused Usmanov of close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and placed him on its sanctions list. The outcome of the investigation may have significant implications for both the yacht's future and Usmanov's assets.
