Research by the German public media SWR has led to this new decision in the context of sanctions against Russia.

According to authorities in Malta, the luxury yacht named 'Rahil' is believed to belong to Russian oligarch Arkadi Rotenberg. EU sanctions against Rotenberg have been in place since 2014.

The yacht was registered in Malta until September 2020 but has been sailing under the Luxembourg flag since July 2021.

Robert Biwer, head of the Luxembourg Maritime Affairs Commission, confirmed to SWR that the vessel was no longer allowed to sail under Luxembourg colours.

According to the official papers, the yacht belongs to a company based in the Virgin Islands. The Maltese authorities assume that the owner is in fact a childhood friend of President Putin, a version that the lawyers of the principal concerned categorically deny.