General
Mazepins fail to comply with EU sanctions and sail boat to Tunisia
- GPblog.com
The Mazepin family seems to have got itself into (further) trouble. A boat was allegedly seized because of sanctions against Russia, but the Mazepins smeared it during the investigation into this, presumably towards Tunisia. Meanwhile, a fine of up to €500,000 has already been handed out to the Russian family.
The boat Aldabra had been seized by the European Union in retaliation against pro-Putin oligarchs. Dmitry Mazepin, the father of former Formula One driver Nikita, is known to be a very close friend of Putin and so the EU is imposing sanctions on him too.
The boat was not allowed to be sailed until further notice, but eventually the Mazepins decided to call on Tunisia. La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote: "This manoeuvre was made possible thanks to the help of a foreign company contacted by the Mazepin family, which reportedly encouraged the ship's captain to flee to North Africa."
Fine not tender
People in Italy were busy trying to find out who actually owned the boat, but with the process taking so long, the Mazepins had the chance to sail the boat to safe harbour. The 'Guardia di Finanza' (financial police) has since imposed a fine of up to €500,000. However, that amount pales into insignificance compared to the purchase of a new boat, so small chance Mazepin will return the boat to Italy cleanly.