Seized Russian superyacht to leave Fiji after court rules upkeep costing nation dearly

A Fijian court has ruled a Russian superyacht that has been docked in Fiji for more than seven weeks be removed by the United States amid legal wrangling over its seizure. Key points: The Supreme Court ruled the Russian superyacht be removed from Fiji because of what it was costing the small nation It is believed to be owned by Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov who is under economic sanctions Last month a Fijian court dismissed an appeal intended to prevent the Amadea being seized by the US The 106-metre Amadea has been the subject of legal proceedings since it arrived in Fiji without custom clearance in mid-April. Now the $450m luxury vessel is set to "sail out of Fiji waters" following the Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that docking the boat in Fiji is "costing the Fijian government dearly". Vessel sought to 'evade prosecution by the United States' On May 27, Fiji's Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal intended to prevent the superyacht from being seized by the United States, meaning US law enforcement officials in Fiji are free to sail the yacht to American seas where it will be subject to forfeiture proceedings.