As part of the sanctions imposed by the European Union after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, nearly 900 names, including the largest Russian fortunes, appear on a “black list”. Sanctions of an unprecedented scale: ban on travel on European soil, freezing of villas, private jets, helicopters, and financial assets… A way of forcing the oligarchs to put pressure on the government of Vladimir Putin.
What is the real assessment of these two months of tracking? Can this economic response change the course of the war? In France, chalets, villas and yachts are in the sights of the “task force” of Bercy. How to find them? How to enforce the restrictions imposed on these wealthy Russian nationals?
Yachts, villas… a “luxury hunt” around the Mediterranean
American activist Alex Finley tracks down their luxury yachts, has them detained in European ports, and shares his findings on his Twitter account. In France, much of this “luxury hunting” takes place on the Côte d’Azur, such as in the village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which has become a haunt for billionaires from Eastern countries, where Bercy services have barely managed to freeze six villas, out of 70 properties now frozen on French territory.
From Tarragona to the Côte d’Azur via Barcelona, ”Special Envoy” has investigated the assets of these Russian oligarchs who have become pariahs of Europe.
A report by Romain Boutilly, Olivier Gardette and Mikaël Bozo broadcast in “Correspondent” May 5, 2002.
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