Re: Russian Yacht in Palau

All,

I got a message from National Security Coordinator-last night about a Russian vessel owned by . She stated he is a Russian Oligarch and that he is trying to register the vessel under a Palau Flag. I looked at this information compared to the information the Embassy gave us a couple weeks ago and it appears to be different vessels. Here are the URLs she provided.

https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht
https://www.en.wikipedia.org/

Is there anything in our lane related to this, or should I just forward this over to the treasury folks for their review and action?

Thanks,

EFTA00161688

SA

Acting Assistant Legal Attache Canberra (Northern Pacific)

Hey

Please see below re: a possible effort by a Russian oligarch to use Palau as a haven for their yacht. Is our chain of command interested in this information? The Palauan government I previously tried to provide us with information a couple months ago on a yacht they believe had ties to one of the spin off Jeffery Epstein cases where they also demonstrated a willingness to assist USG/Dal in impounding the vessel.

Assistant Legal Attaché - Intelligence
Legat Canberra
Desk:
AUS Mobil
US Mobiles

I'm tracking as being under EU and UK sanctions, but he has not been designated by OFAC yet. I'm happy to be proven wrong though.

I'll check for any US or FBI equities on a higher enclave. In the meantime, I recommend contacting our EU and UK partners about what may have been found.

Copying in our ALAT in Guam I who is working with the Palauans directly.

I don't know if this information was passed to CD through other channels. I know [ ] hadn't heard anything as of passing the info to me.

Assistant Legal Attaché - Intelligence
Legat Canberra

EFTA00161686

Hey guys,

CD and CID are still working on getting a system in place for reporting this kind of information — including getting the proper assessment open for intel collection. In the meantime, I've copied the CD and CID contacts for the oligarch task force on this email string for their awareness. They should be able to provide further guidance for you.

Please let us know if you need anything else.

Thanks,

I forgot to cc you on this email. I don't know if this is in our lane, but this is FYSA.

Thank you,

Hey

[ ]

I don't know if CD is aware or doing anything yet, but I will forward through my chain. Though yachts typically fall outside of our core business, I know that this kind of information is important to treasury now if the person in question is actually an oligarchy.

Assistant Legal Attaché - Intelligence
Legat Canberra
Desk:
AUS Mobi
US Mobile

Hi [ ]

Yes our chain of command is definitely interested in this type of information. There are efforts by CD and CID/DOJ related to the oligarchs.

I've added [REDACTED] to this email as she is tracking a lot of this information for IOD, and [REDACTED]

[REDACTED] - do you have any POCs outside IOD [REDACTED] should share this with?

Thanks,

[REDACTED]

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FYSA,

US Embassy in Palau contacted the UK Embassy in Manila. UK confirmed the sanctions as of 3/15/2021, but only asked we pass the information to the Government of Palau and report any actions the Government might take. I am waiting to see if Palau can produce any additional information related to this request to register this vessel. I will share anything I learn.

From the UK Embassy: Confirming was designated by HM Treasury on 15 March - asset freeze and travel ban.

Here's the link to the designation; individual in question is no but I've copied the designation description [ ] below: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1061757/Russia.pdf

Name 6: 3: n/a 4: n/a 5: n/a. DOB: Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref) K Statement of Reasons): Designated for the purposes of an asset freeze and a travel ban under the ussia anctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The designation is made as a designation by name under the urgent procedure. The relevant provision by reference to which the Minister considers that condition B is met is the European Union's Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP (as amended)concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014. The purposes of this provision correspond or are similar to the purposes of the UK's Russia(Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which have as their purposes to encourage Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine. The Minister considers that it is in the public interest to designate (condition C). Listed on: 15/03/2022 UK Sanctions List Date Designated: 15/03/2022 Last Updated: 15/03/2022 Group ID: 14726.

Thank you,

SA

Acting Assistant Legal Attaché Canberra (Northern Pacific)

EFTA00161685