An Italian court has turned down the request from seized yacht Force Blue’s registered owner Autumn Sailing Limited for a lifting of restrictions placed on the vessel, following its seizure concerning tax investigations last year.

The 62m (203ft) motoryacht was seized last year while being chartered by former F1 boss Flavio Briatore. The yacht was subsequently released on condition that it not leave the Mediterranean and has begun working its second charter season since its seizure.

Italian newspapers report that a request for the lifting of restrictions on assets belonging to Briatore and the yacht’s captain was also turned down. The captain has also made a request for the lifting of restrictions of the yacht via his own legal representatives.

Investigators allege that the yacht was used privately while registered as a commercial vessel.

The assets seized in relation to the Force Blue investigation amount to around €1.5m, according to reports in the Italian press.

 

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