Attorneys representing the daughter of a U.S.-sanctioned Russian billionaire have requested access to the financial records of officials, including the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda. The administration is facing scrutiny for seizing and selling a 265-foot megayacht belonging to the billionaire’s family without providing documentation related to the sale. The ongoing legal battle involves the Alfa Nero megayacht, which was anchored off Antigua for over two years and attracted interest from potential buyers like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The megayacht, once owned by Russian businessman Andrey Guryev, is being sought by his daughter, Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, who claims ownership rights. In their filing, her legal team is seeking information on financial transactions involving seven individuals and twelve entities over the past five years, aiming to uncover any potential unauthorized enrichment. The individuals mentioned include Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, his family members, and government officials, while the entities involve companies such as West Indies Oil Company Ltd. and Fancy Bridge Ltd. The Alfa Nero was sanctioned and later auctioned by the government of Antigua and Barbuda after being embargoed due to Guryev’s connections to the Kremlin. The yacht was eventually sold to an anonymous buyer for a reported $40 million, a significant decrease from its initial valuation of $120 million.
The prime minister faced criticism from opposition party members who demanded transparency regarding the use of funds. Despite their requests, they have not received any details. D. Gisele Isaac, chairperson of the opposition United Progressive Party, expressed frustration, stating, “The prime minister only shares information that suits his agenda. We have yet to be informed about the buyer of Alfa Nero.” Isaac highlighted issues with accessing information due to the absence of a physical office for the information commissioner appointed under the Freedom of Information Act in Antigua and Barbuda.
Maria Browne, Minister of Housing and wife of Prime Minister Browne, stated to The Antigua Observer in July 2024 that the funds were utilized to settle government debts. However, concerns were raised about the remaining unaccounted amount of nearly $10 million. Furthermore, documents related to the sale were reportedly missing, hindering investigators’ efforts to retrieve them.
The prime minister had previously suggested using the funds to develop a resort, contradicting his wife’s statement. Legal proceedings concerning the Alfa Nero case are ongoing in Russia and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, with disputes over the legality of the yacht’s seizure and sale. Despite the controversies, Gaston Browne declined to comment on the matter. For the latest news on Latin America and the Caribbean, visit https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america.
