Anthony Astaphan, Senior Counsel
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan tells Antigua.news the recent ruling by the United States Court of Appeals marks a major legal and reputational victory for Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
On Monday, Prime Minister Gaston Browne scored a decisive legal victory in the United States, with a federal appellate court upholding a lower court ruling that blocks attempts to access his financial records.
In a letter to Browne, his attorney confirmed that the U.S. Court of Appeals 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’s decision goes further, ordering that all documents previously obtained by Guryeva’s legal team must now be destroyed, with formal certification required to verify compliance.
Astaphan, who spoke to Antigua.news described the decision as “of extraordinary importance,” noting that the appellate court dismissed an appeal brought by parties linked to a Russian national. The appeal had challenged an earlier ruling in which subpoenas were quashed and sensitive financial documents ordered destroyed.
According to Astaphan, the outcome reinforces the original judgment and brings finality to key aspects of the matter.
“It completely vindicates the Honourable Prime Minister against the allegations that were made against him,” Astaphan said, adding that those claims had been circulated by foreign sources and amplified locally by political opponents.
He 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.
Astaphan also took aim 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 dismissed, he suggested the matter should now be considered settled.
“That’s going to be the end of that,” Astaphan 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 US and Antiguan courts.
How you Tony sure thats the end of that. Hmmm. They will explore other leal avenus like the Privy Council just to put a financial burnden on us