The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has dismissed an appeal by Russian claimant Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov in a case involving Prime Minister Gaston Browne and several associated individuals and entities, according to Antigua.news.
The March 30, 2026 ruling concluded with a clear and decisive finding: "The order of the District Court is AFFIRMED."
The judgment names Prime Minister Gaston Alphonso Browne, Darwin Telemaque, Gaston Andron Browne III, Maria Bird-Browne, Hyacinth Harris, and Ickford Roberts as intervenors-appellees in the matter. Several corporate entities are also named, including IF Antigua Inc., Farmer DG Browne Co. Limited, Cove Head Development Limited, Cove Head Communications Limited, and the West Indies Oil Company.
The case stemmed from an application filed under U.S. law in which the claimant sought access to financial records tied to those individuals and entities. Guryeva-Motlokhov argued the records could be used in legal proceedings in Antigua and Barbuda and other jurisdictions.
Both the District Court and the appellate court found that the request failed to meet the required legal threshold. "We agree with the District Court that… [her] ability to use the requested discovery is entirely speculative," the judges stated, noting that the proposed use of the documents depended on uncertain future legal developments.
The court also upheld the decision to quash the subpoenas in their entirety, reinforcing that strict statutory requirements must be satisfied before such discovery can be granted.
The matter forms part of the broader international legal dispute arising from the seizure and sale of the superyacht Alfa Nero, which has generated litigation across multiple jurisdictions.
While the court noted the application was denied "without prejudice" — leaving open the possibility of a future request should circumstances change — the ruling represents a significant legal setback for the claimant and strengthens the position of the Antiguan respondents.
As reported by Antigua.news, the full judgment has been made available for public review.
