Amadea departs Fiji

The Russian superyacht Amadea has left Fiji.

This is after the Supreme Court dismissed the application by Amadea's lawyer for stay of execution and proceedings pending appeal.

While delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Kamal Kumar says the court accepts the DPP's submission that the yacht being berthed at the Lautoka Wharf is costing the Fijian Government dearly in terms of its resources.

Chief Justice Kumar says the fact that the US Authorities have undertaken to pay costs incurred by Fiji is totally irrelevant.

He adds the resources could be utilized elsewhere more meaningfully.

Chief Justice Kumar further says public interest therefore demands that the yacht which has no interest in Fiji should sail out of Fiji waters to avoid wastage of more valuable resources on it.