Russian Billionaire Sues After French Board Riviera Yachts (1)

Sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexey Kuzmichev is suing France’s customs authority, claiming officials had no right to board and immobilize two of his yachts on the Riviera.

Hislawyer said they pretended to be investigating sanctions violations as a pretext for boarding the vessels -- but soon found that nothing was amiss. The lawyer added that the captains of “La Petite Ourse” and “La Petite Ourse II” weren’t read their rights.

Alexey Kuzmichev

Photographer: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America

“None of the inspection reports even hints at the possibility of an infringement,” Philippe Blanchetier told the Paris court of appeals on Wednesday. “Being Russian and rich doesn’t make ...