The biggest superyacht in the world has been seized from a Russian oligarch's sister.
Authorities in Germany discovered the vast vessel belongs to the sister of Uzbek-born Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
The yacht was seized in Hamburg, Germany by the Federal Criminal Police Office which said "extensive investigations" showed it was owned by Gulbakhor Ismailova, Alisher Usmanov's sister.
The yacht, called Dilbar, is registered to a holding company in Malta and is 512ft long.
Oligarch Usmanov was hit by EU sanctions ahead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This was followed by curbs in the UK and US last month.
A German Federal Criminal Police report followed a complex paper trail which led to Ismailova after a detailed investigation.
It's registered to Navis Marine Ltd in the Cayman islands, but the company which owns the superyacht is owned by Almenor Holdings Ltd in Cyprus.
The holding firm is in turn controlled by a Swiss company, Pomerol Capital SA, which the probe discovered is held by Ismailova.
Dilibar was launched in 2016 and is reported to be worth $648million (£493million).
Its extravagant deck features an 80ft pool and it has space for two helipads.
German cops and authorities worked in Brussels to ensure sanctions in the European Union were able to be applied to its owner.
A ruling by authorities states the yacht, which is being held at a shipyard in Hamburg, can no longer be sold, rented or loaded.
Economic sanctions were imposed against Mr Usmanov over his connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin and in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
In March many of the billionaire's assets had been transferred to trusts which will benefit his family.
"From that point on, Mr Usmanov did not own them, nor was he able to manage them or deal with their sale, but could only use them on a rental basis," a spokesman said.
"Mr Usmanov withdrew from the beneficiaries of the trusts, donating his beneficial rights to his family."
The EU, however, is extending sanctions to oligarchs' family members in the first round of measures.
French authorities meanwhile have completed £20billion seizure of assets of oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich's luxury villa in the south of France.
Château de la Croë is situated on one of the most prestigious parts of the French Riviera and has an estimated worth of £90million.
Constructed in 1926, the elegant villa comes complete with over a dozen bedrooms, eight bathrooms and is set in 12 acres of lush woodland and lavish lawns just metres from the Mediterranean sea.
Abramovich spent an estimated £30million restoring the Château after buying it in 2001.
The property was once used as a holiday home by the former King of England Edward VIII and US socialite Wallis Simpson
The pair became owners of the Château de la Croë in 1938 after King Edward VIII abdicated the throne.
The villa became one of the couple's favourite retreats and was also used on several occasions to host highly esteemed guests.
The villa's seizure was as part of a huge French operation where more than £20billion. properties and assets belonging to Russian oligarchs confiscated or frozen.
