RUSSIAN SUPER YACHT SEARCHED AT FALMOUTH HARBOUR FOLLOWING UNITED STATES REQUEST UNDER MLAT

Russian owned super yacht Alfa Nero which has been anchored at Falmouth Harbour since February this year was searched on Saturday.
It follows a request made to Antigua and Barbuda by the Government of the United States under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, MLAT.
The US sought the help of the local authorities to conduct a search of the vessel and to interview its crew.
The yacht, and its Russian owner, Andrey Guryev, are on sanctions lists issued by the US, UK and European Union.
In line with Antigua and Barbuda’s adherence to sanctions lists imposed on Russian persons and entities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Alfa Nero was not provided with any fuel, except emergency supplies to keep it secure – both for the vessel’s sake, and for the safety of Falmouth Harbour as a whole. As a result, it could not leave the country.
The request for the search under the MLAT was reviewed by Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin and Director of Public Prosecutions, Anthony Armstrong and an application made to the High Court which green-lighted the search.
The order issued by the Court on August 18 allowed for the vessel to be boarded and searched as well as relevant material to be seized and the crew questioned.
The operation was led by officers of ONDCP supported by a multi-agency task force comprising, the Police, the Defence Force and Customs.
DPP Armstrong said the operation was totally under local control, though the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI was granted a request to observe.
DPP Armstrong also tells ABS News the operation has not yet been completed and further decisions will be made after consulting with the contracted state parties.
Antigua and Barbuda has a legal obligation to respond to such requests from countries with which it has a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, MLAT.

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