Exclusive-Spain moves yacht linked to Russian oligarch after payments stop - ministry source

Superyacht Meridian A, formerly registered as Valerie (linked to chief of Russian state aerospace and defence conglomerate Rostec, Sergei Chemezov), is docked at Marina Vela Barcelona port while it's frozen by Spanish authorities in Barcelona, Spain, September 21, 2022. REUTERS/Albert Gea

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spanish authorities moved a luxury yacht linked to the sanctioned head of Russian defence group Rostec after the shipyard where it was berthed stopped receiving payments for its repairs, a transport ministry source said.

The multi-million-dollar Valerie was transferred to a marina last month, the source and other officials said, highlighting the logistical challenges authorities have faced managing vessels being held across Europe because of sanctions imposed over Russia's military actions in Ukraine.