French authorities seize Russian sailor Igor Sechin’s yacht
We begin our tour in British newspapers from the Guardian newspaper and a report by John Enguide-Thomas, entitled: “Activists say Dubai should be blacklisted after they failed to fight Russian oligarchy.”
The report points out that activists and politicians called for the UAE to be blacklisted for failing to curb the flow of “dirty money” and for failing to assist other countries in implementing the sanctions imposed. imposed on the Russian oligarchs.
The report adds that the Gulf state has emerged as a major haven for wealthy Russians fleeing the impact of global sanctions as their private jets and giant yachts depart for the Emirates following the invasion of Ukraine.
“Dubai has always been a safe haven for dirty money,” Bill Browder, a financial expert and critic of Vladimir Putin’s regime, told the Guardian. “It should now be blacklisted and its leaders should not be welcome here.”
He added to the newspaper that secondary sanctions should be imposed on the UAE unless it provides assistance to countries seeking the assets of the Russian oligarch.
And the Guardian reported that it became clear last week that, more than three months ago, one of the most expensive private jets in the world, which landed at the former owner of the Chelsea football club, Roman Abramovich, in Dubai.
It quoted the US Department of Justice as confirming that the last recorded flight of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, worth $ 350 million, was from Moscow to Dubai on March 4.
The UAE was put on a “gray list” by the World Watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in March due to shortcomings in its measures to combat money laundering and other financial crimes, and there are now calls for it to be included in similar international lists, according to the newspaper.
The report indicated that UAE officials do not believe they are obliged to implement the sanctions imposed by other countries, but insist that they work to address the concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force. is, to address.
The £ 240 million yacht linked to billionaire Andrei Melnichenko has been spotted on sea rail systems at a port in the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, according to the Financial Times.
The yacht “Madame Go” is also linked to Andrei Skoch, a billionaire and Russian MP who is under sanctions by the United States, Britain and the European Union. The luxury yacht is also subject to US sanctions, but its location is unknown. The last reported appearance in Dubai was on March 6, according to the newspaper.
The report indicated that Dubai’s role as a refuge for the Russian elite since the Ukrainian invasion had once again emphasized its measures to combat money laundering and illegal money. An investigation published in a data leak last month revealed that there are many Russian property owners in Dubai who are accused or convicted of crimes or under international sanctions, including businessmen near the Kremlin.
The newspaper quoted Kira Marie Peter Hansen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, as saying that the latest investigation had revealed how the UAE is a “safe haven for criminal proceeds, corrupt officials and Russian oligarchs.” “We want to blacklist the UAE, especially in light of the large number of Russian oligarchs that the state uses to avoid sanctions,” she said.
The Guardian concluded its report by saying that Emirati officials had not responded to her request for comment.
Saudi Arabia enters the world of golf and changes the rules of the game
photo released, Reuters
Player Phil Mickelson shakes hands with Newcastle United president Yasser Al-Rumayyan after the first round of the opening of the new championship
We turn to the Financial Times and a report by its correspondent Samuel Aguiney entitled: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s $ 2 billion investment in the game of golf is changing the rules of the global game.”
Earlier this week, one of the game’s most skilled and marketable players, Phil Mickelson, took part in the opening of an exclusive private golf course outside London, but he did not wear the logos of any of his sponsors.
He pointed out that these days he has more financial supporters than his previous sponsors, following his participation in the new “LIV Golf Investments” tournament, a separate league that threatens to overthrow the status quo for the sport of golf.
The report indicates that the new tournament was funded by at least $ 2 billion, through the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund, which is worth $ 620 billion. He adds that the total prize money is $ 250 million, which is the highest number among the game’s competition rewards.
The author says there are rumors that a $ 200 million fee was paid to Mickelson, who is a massive supporter, as well as credibility that contributed to this week’s event at a private club in Hertfordshire, organized by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund is.
The Financial Times indicated that the player refused to comment on the details of his contract and the number was not confirmed.
The newspaper adds that the players have been criticized by activists for accepting large fees, because the new league is backed by a country that has faced Western criticism for its poor human rights record, the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the hands of Saudi agents in 2018, and its military operations in Yemen. ”
She confirmed that Michelson himself had previously strongly criticized the Saudis and said that they were “scary eyes” in the case of involvement with them. He added, “We know they were killed. [جمال] Khashoggi and they have a terrible human rights record. People are executed there because they are gay. After knowing all this, why do I accept it all? Because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reform the way the PGA works. “
And the newspaper believed that the current controversy is the latest indication that Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth is shaking world sports, following the Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club, worth £ 305 million, in October last year, and its purchase of a In the group that owns McLaren Racing Wear in addition to the state oil company Aramco’s sponsorship of the Formula 1 race, which is now being held in Jeddah.
She pointed out that the investments of the Public Investment Fund were designed to reduce the Saudi economy’s dependence on oil, and to support the modernization plan of the Conservative kingdom.
But some activists have accused Saudi Arabia of “sportswashing” to improve the country’s image, according to the Financial Times.
Simon Chadwick, professor of Eurasian sport at the Emilion School of Entrepreneurship in Paris, acknowledges the “reputation and image benefits that can come from associating with the best golfers in the world”, but pointed to broader reasons for Saudi investment in the “LI -championship”. . ” in”.
“The state encourages people to play golf, especially women, as the government strives to bring about positive social change,” he said.
“In addition, there are tourism targets; the government in Riyadh wants to attract tourism dollars for the growing number of golf courses in Saudi Arabia,” he told the newspaper.
Some players gave “strange” answers at a press conference before the tournament on Thursday to justify their participation, according to the Financial Times. “I do not approve of human rights abuses at all,” Michelson said.
Others could not say whether they would play in a tournament hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.