Pursuant to the authorization provided by the FIDE Presidential Board by virtue of its decision at the 2018 1st Quarter Presidential Board meeting held 6 – 9 April, in Minsk, Belarus, a Report has been submitted to the FIDE Ethics Commission against FIDE President Mr. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov under the provisions of the FIDE Code of Ethics.
The Ethics Commission unanimously decides that Mr Ilyumzhinov is guilty of the violation of the FIDE Code of Ethics.
Mr Ilyumzhinov is sanctioned with a temporary exclusion from holding any position for a period of 18 months from today, of which a period of 12 months are suspended for a period of 2 years. The immediately effective suspension is one of 6 months, commencing on 13 July 2018 and ending on 12 January 2019.
Excerpt
Upon due consideration of all the statements filed and arguments advanced:
11.1 The ETH unanimously decides decides decides that Mr Ilyumzhinov is guilty of the violation of art. 2.2.3, 2.2.10 and 2.2.11 of the FIDE Code of Ethics.
11.2 The ETH holds (all members agreeing) that Mr Ilyumzhinov must receive recognition, as a strong mitigating circumstance, of the outstanding service to FIDE and the chess community over a period of 22 years, as well as his decision to put FIDE first by his decision not to partake in the 2018 FIDE Presidential elections given the fact that his name still remains on the OFAC Sanctions list.
11.3 The ETH decides decides decides by majority vote by majority vote by majority vote that, in the circumstances, Mr Ilyumzhinov is sanctioned sanctioned sanctioned with a temporary exclusion from holding any of the positions listed in Chapter 3.1(a) – (l) of the FIDE Statutes for a period of 18 months from date hereof, of which a period of 12months are suspended for a period of 2 years (“the period of suspension”) on condition that Mr Ilyumzhinov does not make himself guilty during the period of suspension of any conduct which causes harm to the interests and reputation of FIDE as organisation, its organs, officials, organisers, sponsors and events.
11.4 For the sake of clarity, the ETH notes that the immediately effective suspension is one of 6 months, commencing on 13 July 2018 and ending on 12 January 2019.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov commented in Russian press:
“They have no right. They have been trying for a long time since November 25, 2015, when I was included in the US sanctions list. I believe that this is interference in the internal affairs of an international organization. But I do not give up, I do not submit to resigning. I will fight. I will go to CAS – the international arbitration court. I believe that this is a violation of human rights, interference in internal affairs. This is the decision of one of the ministries of one of the states, “Ilyumzhinov said.
