The president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has pledged to face the electric chair in order to clear his name of accusations that he financially helped the Islamic State, the R-Sport news website reported Thursday.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, a multimillionaire and the former president of the Russian republic of Kalmykia, was placed on a U.S. Treasury blacklist on Nov. 25, 2015. The designation was based on claims that he helped the Syrian government buy crude oil from the Islamic State. As a result, his U.S. assets have been frozen.
“I am ready to take American citizenship, so that I can fight my case on American soil,” Ilyumzhinov told the R-Sport news website.
“I have even appealed to U.S. President [Barack Obama]. I've told officials that I would fly to them, unarmed, to prove my innocence, and they have not allowed it. I am willing to face the electric chair, if they prove my guilt,” he said.
Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
