[1/2] Detained Russian-owned superyacht Phi is seen in West India and Millwall Docks in London, Britain March 29, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson/File PhotoLONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - A wealthy Russian businessman on Friday lost a legal challenge against Britain over the detention of his $50 million superyacht. Sergei Naumenko's 58.5 metre yacht Phi was detained in London under the government's Russian sanctions in March 2022, the first time the regulations had been used to detain a ship. He said he was targeted simply because he was a wealthy Russian, despite the fact that he had no involvement in Russian politics or any connection with Putin. Cranston accepted Shapps was wrong to describe Naumenko as a friend of Putin, but said it was "excusable political hyperbole".

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Persons: Tom Nicholson, Sergei Naumenko's, Grant Shapps, Vladimir Putin, Naumenko, Putin, Judge Ross Cranston, Mr Naumenko, Cranston, Shapps, Paul Dickie, Sam Tobin, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: Millwall Docks, REUTERS, Britain, Phi, St, Britain's Department of Transport, London's, Thomson Locations: Russian, West India, London, Britain, St Kitts, Nevis, Ukraine, Russia