Croatia seeks answers as Usmanov yacht disappears

Originally Syndicated on May 17, 2023 @ 9:22 am

A yacht linked to Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who has faced Western sanctions due to his perceived proximity to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has vanished from its mooring in Croatia‘s central Adriatic region.

The vessel named Irina VU was previously anchored at a marina in Betina. This yacht had been placed under EU, US, and UK sanctions as it was identified as Usmanov’s property, often regarded as one of Putin’s “preferred oligarchs.“

Curiously, the yacht left the port nearly three months ago, and a strikingly similar yacht has taken its spot, according to a report by Dnevnik. The report revealed that Irina VU is now situated at the Didim marina, located in the Turkish portion of the Aegean Sea within the Eastern Mediterranean.

Surprisingly, the yacht’s departure went unnoticed until local media recently highlighted its disappearance. Croatian Transport Minister Oleg Butkovi expressed, “We are currently ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the yacht. It vanished under somewhat unclear conditions. Our objective now is to establish how this occurred and if there were any lapses in the system.” He added that the Croatian intelligence service and state prosecutor were both engaged in the investigation.

The unresolved mystery surrounding the missing Russian yacht in Croatia

Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković’s statement has only intensified the enigma concerning the Russian yacht Irina VU, which sailed despite being under EU, US, and UK sanctions.

Prior knowledge indicated that the opulent Irina VU yacht, owned by the spouse of Russian oligarch Ališer Usmanov and associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, was restricted from sailing due to the sanctions. It anchored at Betina on Murter. As per available data, the yacht embarked from the Betina marina on October 6 at 10:14, and by October 9 around midday, it had arrived at the Turkish port of Didim. The yacht’s departure from Croatian territorial waters necessitated clearance from police, border control, and the supervision of the Port Authority in Dubrovnik.

Recalling Frano Matušić’s earlier assertion on July 13 that the yacht had frozen, the question arises: How did this yacht manage to evade the police? This issue appears to hold greater significance than the communication between different port master’s offices.

Furthermore, what can be said about the personnel at the Murter marina and shipyard? How did they not recognize that the yacht was no longer under sanctions, and how did such information remain concealed for three months? This raises concerns about those responsible for the marina and the boathouse, as the launch of a yacht from a dry dock involves a process.

As per informal conversations with port and marina employees, placing a vessel in operation entails raising a crane, lowering the ship into the water per a request, and notifying the crew. Thus, bureaucratic procedures and necessary actions should have preceded its departure.

A web of questions has enveloped the incident concerning the Russian yacht Irina VU, leaving authorities and entities grappling with explanations that have yet to reach the public domain. Despite attempts to solicit responses through written inquiries and phone calls, clarity remains elusive, except SOA’s refrain that they are unable to provide commentary on the case.

Foremost among the pivotal inquiries were those posed to Butković’s ministry. The investigation sought to uncover who was overseeing the yacht at the Betina marina, who sanctioned the yacht’s descent into the sea, and whether sailing permission was granted.

Additionally, authorities were consulted regarding the yacht’s passage through border control in Dubrovnik. Notably, the crew’s awareness of the surveillance system’s inability to detect the supposed blockage, a subject of Minister Butković’s statement, also ignited speculation.

Logically, if the crew knew this loophole, they would likely have foregone border control, a requisite they ultimately adhered to. The curiosity extended to the composition of the crew and the implications of vessel sealing, encompassing whether it translated into a mechanical restriction on operation.

Notable insight emerged from the State Secretary of the relevant ministry of the sea, Alen Gospočić. He contended that the open nature of marinas precludes the presence of security personnel, asserting that the Port of Betina welcomes unrestricted access. The ministry apprised the port of the yacht’s blockade, prompting the harbor master to instruct against accessing the yacht. Gospočić clarified that the ministry refrains from employing 24-hour security for safeguarding external properties, citing the unsustainability of such an endeavor.

These uncertainties gave rise to broader questions, as highlighted by the former line minister Siniša Hajdaš Dončić. He castigated the absence of a functional control system, equating the situation to a vessel sailing under the cover of darkness. Moreover, the procedure surrounding the yacht’s departure came under scrutiny. Đorđe Obradović, a seasoned captain, recounted procedures from other regions. His insight underscored the stark contrast between secure operations and the apparent lack of vigilance.

The complexities of maritime regulations prompted Obradović’s reflection on the circumstances leading to the departure of the Irina VU yacht. The deliberate orchestration of the event suggested a calculated endeavor, leaving observers to ponder whether Croatian authorities were unwittingly complicit or if a purposeful partnership facilitated the yacht’s departure.

Ante Letica, a former head of SOA operations, invoked multiple factors contributing to the situation, including negligence, inertia of state entities, and even corruption. He emphasized the need for comprehensive scrutiny by various bodies, extending beyond port captains and authorities to include the SOA. Letica ascertained that a legal assessment of the incident was essential to determine culpability, highlighting potential areas of indolence, irresponsibility, and corruption.

This complex confluence of factors underscores the urgency to address the irregularities and vulnerabilities within the maritime framework. Letica’s optimistic outlook anticipates a heightened emphasis on security measures to prevent such lapses in the future.

In response to the media coverage, Usmanov‘s press team reached out to EURACTIV to emphasize that he is not the owner of the yacht Irina VU mentioned in the article and has no connection to its sudden disappearance from Marina Betina. Furthermore, they clarified that Usmanov and Irina Viner are no longer married. They challenged the label of “oligarch” and characterized Usmanov as a globally recognized philanthropist who achieved wealth through his merit within a competitive market.