Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan has hailed a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals as a major legal and reputational victory for Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
The federal appellate court upheld a lower court ruling that blocks attempts to access the Prime Minister's financial records. In a letter to Browne, his attorney confirmed that the court affirmed the District Court's decision to reject an application filed by Russian national Yulia Guryeva seeking discovery in the matter.
The ruling also quashed subpoenas that had been issued to major U.S. financial institutions, including the Clearing House and the Federal Reserve. The appellate court went further, ordering that all documents previously obtained by Guryeva's legal team must be destroyed, with formal certification required to verify compliance.
Astaphan described the decision as "of extraordinary importance," noting that the appellate court dismissed an appeal brought by parties linked to the Russian national. The appeal had challenged an earlier ruling in which the subpoenas were quashed and the sensitive financial documents ordered destroyed.
"It completely vindicates the Honourable Prime Minister against the allegations that were made against him," Astaphan said. He added that those claims had been circulated by foreign sources and amplified locally by political opponents.
Astaphan stressed that the ruling carries wider national significance, arguing that it confirms the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda as a sovereign state in the face of external accusations. "I think it's important for the state of Antigua and Barbuda—for the people to know—that once again a foreign court has vindicated the reputation of the Prime Minister," he stated.
He also directed criticism at members of the opposition, particularly within the United Progressive Party (UPP), accusing them of repeating and leveraging the allegations for political purposes.
With the appeal now dismissed, Astaphan indicated the matter should be considered closed. "That's going to be the end of that," he said.
The ruling stems from ongoing legal battles connected to the sale of the superyacht Alfa Nero, which has been the subject of multiple proceedings in both U.S. and Antiguan courts.
