MILAN -- Italy blocked the multimillion-dollar sale of two luxury yachts that Italian police say were destined for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in violation of international sanctions.| With Kimmie's current state of health, you wonder if they're going to do a burial at sea ... |
Italian financial police said the Chinese company paid a Hong Kong business to take delivery of the vessels, valued at nearly €13 million ($18.5 million). An investigation determined that the yachts ultimately were bound for the reclusive communist nation in violation of international sanctions barring sale of luxury goods to North Korea, the ministry said.
| Apparently Kimmie has all the cognac and sarin he needs ... |
A person answering the phone at the North Korean Embassy in Rome said no one was available to comment.
The yachts were initially confiscated by Italy's Economic Development Ministry but have since been returned to the boatyard, which has been allowed to keep the deposit. Azimut-Benetti isn't accused of wrongdoing and has cooperated fully in the investigation, police said.
The sale of luxury goods to North Korea is banned under a United Nations resolution in retaliation for the impoverished nation's nuclear-weapons program.