Hong Kong city authorities have refused to seize a superyacht, called the Nord, which is owned by Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, the publication Business Insider reported on Oct. 8.
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The Nord is a 142-meter-long vessel worth $500 million. It arrived in Hong Kong waters this week.
Hong Kong city authorities said they had no legal authority to impose sanctions on Mordashov, a Russian oligarch known to be close to Russian dictator Putin.
Mordashov was placed on Western sanctions lists after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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The U.S. State Department warned Hong Kong that it could damage its reputation as an international financial center if it harbors sanctioned assets.
“The possible use of Hong Kong as a safe haven by individuals evading sanctions from multiple jurisdictions further calls into question the transparency of the business environment (in the city),” a State Department spokesman said.
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine