Gafur Rakhimov, Interim AIBA President, Seeks Reconsideration by U.S. Authorities

Mr. Gafur Rakhimov, the Interim President of the International Boxing Association, has instructed

lawyers in Washington and London to submit a petition to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign

Assets Control (OFAC) aimed at removing Mr. Rakhimov’s name from OFAC’s "Specially

Designated Nationals List".

This is one of Mr. Rakhimov’s vigorous steps to clear his name and reputation from unfounded

allegations in the media.

In a statement Mr. Rakhimov said he had retained the services of top U.S. lawyers Ferrari &

Associates in Washington as well as renowned libel lawyers Carter-Ruck in London. The move to

engage two legal powerhouse firms shows that he is serious about proving his innocence in the face

of what he called "fabricated media allegations of criminal associations that do not exist."

Carter-Ruck said the process is progressing very well and it was working closely with top U.S.

attorney Erich Ferrari, who is planning to petition OFAC to remove Mr. Rakhimov’s name from its

sanctions list.

The petition being submitted by Ferrari & Associates will demonstrate that Mr. Rakhimov does not

meet the criteria for designation, and will address allegations against the Interim President derived

from political persecution and harassment in Mr. Rakhimov’s birthplace, Uzbekistan, initiated by the

regime of the previous President of Uzbekistan.

Carter-Ruck noted that Mr. Rakhimov had previously secured favorable settlements of two

defamation lawsuits in the High Court of Justice in London and in the Supreme Court of New South

Wales in Australia in respect of allegations including that he was involved with organized crime

figures in the former Soviet Republics. The publishers agreed among other things to pay a

contribution towards Mr. Rakhimov’s legal costs.

Ferrari & Associates intends to pursue the U.S. Treasury appeal with all due dispatch so that Mr.

Rakhimov’s name may be cleared as soon as possible.

Mr. Rakhimov said in the statement "I have never been associated with any organized crime group,

and I have never been charged with, let alone convicted of, any crime by the authorities in any

jurisdiction in the world. While the U.S. Treasury appeal goes forward I am continuing my efforts to

restore good governance and financial stability to AIBA. I truly believe my love for boxing and

AIBA will conquer any challenge and despite the unfounded accusations against me I am determined

to continue to devote my life to the sport".

For further information please contact: interimpresidentoffice@gmail.com

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