While Khudainatov may have at one point sought to sell the vessel, Adam Ford claims there is no proof of the sale being actualised and the transaction was, in fact, a loan. His team has also submitted financial records, witness testimonies and other documentation to substantiate his claim.
The new administration’s arrival throws this notion into question once more. The potential sale of Amadea and the use of the proceeds to aid the Ukrainian war effort against the Russian invasion could have significant geopolitical implications.
Khudainatov’s legal team maintains that he has always owned Amadea and has presented financial records and witness testimonies supporting his claim. Attorneys have further argued that no sale or transfer of ownership ever took place and that no documents exist to suggest that Kerimov or any other party purchased Amadea. This is a key element of the case, as the US government must prove that Kerimov, not Khudainatov, controls the yacht.