Kirsan Addresses the Issue of Sanctions
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN
11 September 2016
In a rousing speech to the General Assembly of FIDE this morning, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of FIDE, addressed the issue of sanctions that have been imposed upon him by the United States Department of Treasury.
Kirsan recognized that having sanctions placed on him personally will create difficulties for FIDE, the World Chess Federation, in holding the World Chess Championship in New York City as scheduled for November 2016.
However, Kirsan rejected the suggestion that he move the World Championship Match to another country. He said that as the USA is the most powerful country in the world, it is important that the World Chess Championship be held there.
Nigel Freeman, Executive Director of FIDE, Explained that when the sanctions were first issued by the US Treasury Department, FIDE's USA bank accounts were frozen.
However, when Nigel Freeman was contacted by the FBI and the Treasury Department, Freeman explained that Kirsan was not an active member of the FIDE board. Kirsan came to the meetings and gave speeches but he was not involved in the details or running
the World Chess Federation.
With that, the Treasury Department, had lifted its freezes on the FIDE Bank Accounts. At present none of the funds of FIDE are frozen.
Sam Sloan

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