Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, has launched a multi-million dollar legal offensive in response to what he calls “malicious and defamatory” accusations stemming from the controversial sale of the luxury yacht Alpha Nero. The Prime Minister is demanding US$10 million in damages, claiming the allegations have inflicted serious harm on his reputation and public standing.
The Spark Behind the Dispute
The core of the legal battle revolves around statements made by a U.S.-based attorney acting on behalf of parties connected to Russian billionaire Andrey Guryev, whose family claims ownership of the yacht. Browne’s legal team asserts that the remarks—disseminated across international media and legal channels—falsely suggest he orchestrated a corrupt sale of the yacht to a Turkish buyer for US$40 million, despite higher previous bids. One notable rejected bid came from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who reportedly offered US$67 million.
According to Browne’s attorneys, these insinuations are not only inaccurate but were crafted to paint the Prime Minister as a corrupt official who misappropriated funds and engaged in fraud. They argue the accusations amount to a deliberate and reckless attack designed to damage his credibility as head of state and finance minister.
A Leader in the International Arena
The legal team underlined Browne’s prominence on the global stage, citing his roles as the incoming chair for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, governor of the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, and chair of key international climate and legal commissions.
“In every one of these roles, our client has been a voice for vulnerable states and a champion of international integrity,” the letter reads. “To be portrayed as corrupt in a fabricated narrative undermines not only his reputation but the credibility of the institutions he represents.”
Legal Strategy and Retaliation
In an eight-page legal notice addressed to the involved U.S. attorneys and their firms, Browne’s lawyers demanded an immediate retraction, full public apology, removal of all defamatory content from media platforms, and cessation of any further publication. They also called for indemnity-based reimbursement of legal costs and signaled readiness to initiate formal litigation in the absence of compliance.
The letter contends that the attorneys acted in bad faith—ignoring repeated denials by Browne and leveraging their legal stature to amplify false claims in the press. It also noted that prior court orders cited by the attorneys had since been overturned, nullifying any basis for insinuating misconduct tied to legal proceedings.
Political Fallout and Stakes Ahead
The incident arrives at a sensitive time for the Browne administration, with Antigua slated to host major international events and solidify its regional influence. The Prime Minister’s team is framing the lawsuit not merely as a personal defense but as a stand against what they view as weaponized misinformation intended to destabilize leadership in small island states.
Whether the lawsuit will proceed to trial or be resolved through settlement remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Gaston Browne is signaling that reputational attacks—particularly those involving high-stakes geopolitics and sanctioned oligarchs—will be met with fierce legal retaliation.
