Stefania, luxury yacht seized in fraud case to be sold at €10m starting bid

The French government is set to auction the luxury 41-metre superyacht Stefania on March 27, offering potential buyers a rare chance to own a €12 million floating masterpiece while raising questions about financial crime in Europe’s elite circles.

The striking golden-hulled vessel was seized in 2023 during a stop in Genoa, Italy, at the request of French authorities. It was part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering involving Belarusian national Chaslau Koniukh, accused of using illicit proceeds from arms and drug trafficking to purchase Stefania and a €10 million villa on the French Riviera.

Investigators traced suspicious financial transactions through offshore tax havens, ultimately freezing assets believed to be tied to criminal networks. The auction, managed by De Baecque et Associés, will take place at the historic La Ciotat shipyards near Marseille. Bidding starts at €10 million. Interested buyers must pre-register and submit a €500,000 deposit to qualify.

This is not La Ciotat’s first high-profile yacht seizure. In 2022, authorities impounded the 85.5-metre Amore Vero, reportedly linked to sanctioned Russian oil executive Igor Sechin, as part of sanctions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Launched in 2021, Stefania is the second hull in Dynamiq’s GTT 135 series. She features an eye-catching reverse bow, glass-inlaid railings, and a transparent flagpole. The yacht’s elegant Art Deco interiors, designed by Giuseppina Arena, include five staterooms for ten guests, a pool, Jacuzzi, and a rare wood-burning fireplace.

Powered by twin MAN engines, Stefania cruises at 12 knots and reaches a top speed of 21 knots. Van Oossanen developed her naval architecture, while Dobroserdov Design handled the exterior styling.

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