Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he has reported to the United States embassy in Barbados and the US State Department what he describes as a “fabricated” allegation of extortion and death threats linked to the Alfa Nero court case, calling it part of a campaign to damage Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation and his own character.
His response follows a _Real News Antigua_ article citing a letter submitted to a U.S. Federal Court by attorneys representing Russian national Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov. The letter alleges that an anonymous email was received threatening her with assassination and demanding a ransom payment in cryptocurrency. The threat was reportedly tied to her court action over the seizure and sale of the Alfa Nero superyacht by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
In a detailed public statement, Prime Minister Browne rejected the claim as baseless and politically motivated. He accused the United Progressive Party (UPP) and what he described as “foreign mercenaries” of orchestrating a smear campaign designed to interfere with bilateral relations between Antigua and Barbuda and the United States.
“It’s yet another fabricated claim of harassment, threats and extortion of US citizens, designed to sully the excellent bilateral relations between Antigua & Barbuda and the United States,” Browne wrote on Facebook. “The culprits (UPP morons and their foreign mercenaries) are now playing victims.”
He further added:
“I am the one who had to bear the indignity of their fabrications and orchestrated attacks to assassinate my character across numerous platforms.”
Browne revealed that the financial records subpoenaed in the U.S. court proceedings were reviewed in two parts—before and after April 8, 2024—due to a change in the clearing house payment tracking system. He said nearly all transactions identified were related to the West Indies Oil Company or businessman Alki David, with only a few minor transactions involving himself or associates.
The Prime Minister contended that the actual disclosures contradict the narrative being advanced by opposition figures and legal representatives of Guryeva-Motlokhov, and accused them of pivoting to new claims after being embarrassed by the findings.
“These UPP morons and foreign mercenaries are shocked and embarrassed by these results and are now seeking to fabricate yet another story to create confusion,” he stated. “The malice and hatred are real. However, the harder they come, the harder they fall.”
Browne’s remarks came after U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled in favour of the government’s motion to quash subpoenas seeking financial data. The judge found that the applicant had not demonstrated how the information would be usable in ongoing proceedings in Antigua, Russia, or the UAE. However, the ruling allows for the possibility of renewed applications if circumstances change materially.
The Prime Minister’s public defence reflects broader concerns about the political fallout from the Alfa Nero dispute, which has drawn international scrutiny and domestic criticism. Despite the legal victory in court, the latest allegation—though rejected by Browne—has added another layer of controversy to a matter that has repeatedly made headlines in both Antigua and abroad.
The U.S. embassy has not commented publicly on Browne’s report of the threat allegations.