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The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is standing firm in its position that the sale of the Alfa Nero superyacht was conducted within the bounds of the law, asserting that due process was followed in line with domestic legislation and international norms.
The vessel, which entered Falmouth Harbour under the shadow of U.S. sanctions on its Russian-linked owner, was deemed abandoned after no party stepped forward to claim ownership during a legally prescribed notification period.
In response, Parliament amended the Port Authority Act, enabling the government to take possession of derelict vessels considered a hazard or financial burden.
Government spokesperson Lionel Hurst explained that the decision was grounded in both public interest and national security. “It could not remain idle in our waters indefinitely.
We had a responsibility to prevent deterioration and to ensure it posed no threat during hurricane season,” he said.
The Alfa Nero’s auction in 2023 attracted global attention, with an initial bid from a prominent U.S. tech executive withdrawn over legal uncertainties.
The vessel was ultimately sold for US$40 million, with the funds transferred to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The government stated that proceeds were used to settle outstanding crew wages, fuel costs, and other maintenance obligations.
Critics have continued to question the transparency of the process, particularly after a U.S. federal court subpoena sought financial records linked to the sale.
However, in a recent decision, a federal judge halted what the government described as “unjustified and overbroad” demands for documents unrelated to the transaction.
Officials allege that the legal challenge was partly driven by misinformation supplied to an American investigator by local political operatives. Hurst said the government views the matter as an attack on national sovereignty.
“We are not a safe haven for illicit assets, but we are also not beholden to foreign political agendas.”
The matter has also stirred broader debate about small states asserting autonomy in an era of geopolitical pressure.
The government’s legal team has pointed to rulings by Antigua’s High Court and Court of Appeal that dismissed competing ownership claims.
A further challenge by the alleged daughter of the sanctioned owner was also dismissed by the UK Privy Council.
Antigua and Barbuda is now preparing for a new phase of legal defence in the United States, but maintains confidence in its handling of the Alfa Nero case.
“Every step was lawful. Every dollar is accounted for,” Hurst said.
“This was a matter of sovereignty, not speculation.”
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It’s just too early in the day to be telling lies. If you were truthful, you wouldn’t have to be making these incessant rounds. You are approaching 100 years so stop influencing your followers, especially the younger ones.
They should investigate Max Hurst for speaking as if he was the salesman and drafter .
When that man adds his voice to anything, you can easily confirm that lies are being told.. HURST HAS NO CREDIBILITY. At some stage ABLP will realize that Hurst has out lived his usefulness and is now damaging the party’s outlook.
Hurst is a known liar……
They can cry and talk and cry and talk some more, it is what happen in the Court that will be important.
Time will tell all.
I wonder how much money Lionel Hurst got from the Alpha Nero. Wasn’t it enough to buy a new car?
Oh how I am so glad that this news portal which is an ALP mouthpiece is keeping the Alfa Nero scandal ALIVE AND FRESH.
It is not something to be swept away.
However more than that I ask myself is some operative within the portal seeking to expose Gaston and his indiscretion in dealing with the matter?
Is there someone or some people who are tired of Gassy and want to see his back and are using his very own portal to do it?
Is that friendly fire?
The more Gaston, Hurst, Telemacque and AstaFart speak the deeper they dig their holes.
Let them speak and dig deeper.
The Alfa Nero is not going away any time soon..
It is even helping unearth the Odabrecht Scandal, the African Smuggling Scandal, the Antigua Airways Debacle and the Syrian Smuggling Ring.
I often wondered how old Max Hurst is and how many pensions he is receiving, when there are a lot of younger more capable and better looking guys and gals that can do this job or is it they can’t find anyone else to lie so barefacedly, it is so hedious to look at this man
Looks like Judge has granted access to the Financial record of the individuals .
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39 order Memo Endorsement Tue 04/22 10:48 AM
MEMO ENDORSEMENT on re:38 Response in Opposition to Motion,, filed by Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov. ENDORSEMENT : Upon review of the parties’ letters, the Court concludes that the proper way to balance Applicant’s interest in avoiding unnecessary delay and Movants’ privacy interests is to lift the stay and require production subject to a protective order providing that any responses to the Subpoenas are to be held on an Attorneys-Eyes-Only basis until further order of the Court and are to be destroyed to the extent that the Court grants a motion to quash. Applicant and Movants shall confer and, no later than April 25, 2025, file a proposed protective order. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jesse M. Furman on 4/22/25) (yv)