ƒPRESS RELEASE BY THE 36th CHESS OLYMPIAD ORGANIZATION AND THE SPANISH CHESS FEDERATION. 31st October 2004
The Organization Committee of the XXXVI Chess Olympiad and the Spanish Chess Federation, after considering the International Chess Federation's (FIDE) press statement released yesterday, would like to clarify the following issues:
When the Closing Ceremony of the XXXVI Chess Olympiad was coming to an end, with international, local and regional authorities present on the stage, Mr. Azmaiparashvili tried to gain admittance to the stage on several occasions without authorization. At that moment an agent of the Spanish Police, an elite force that specializes in the security of international events, tried to avoid his admittance to the stage, in accordance with the protocol of the event.
Mr. Azmaiparashvili, without any previous provocation, assaulted the agent with a head butt to his mouth. This aggression caused his arrest, after offering a strong resistance, and subsequent transfer to the Police station, to bring him before the judge.
As the Police Commander explained to the press, the aggression was witnessed by many eyewitnesses. Mr. Azmaiparashvili is at present under arrest, charged with assault and resistance to the authority.
From the first moment of Mr. Azmaiparashvili's arrest, the whole process is under judicial control, as in any European Union country, Independent medical and legal assistance are guaranteed.
We know that Mr. Azmaiparashvili has apologized to the assaulted policeman, recognizing his faults. The policeman has suffered injuries that have forced him to take sick leave.
Both the organizers and the President of the FEDA, Mr. Javier Ochoa de Echagüen offered the FIDE executives all sorts of facilities, as well as a list of lawyers for Mr. Azmaiparashvili's defence.
With regard to the prize giving, the protocol at all moment followed the instructions received from FIDE. The Nona Gaprindashvili trophy was given to Russia by the FIDE Honorary President. If there was a protocol error, of which the organization has found no evidence, in no way can it justify the violence exerted by Mr. Aizmaparashvili.
Therefore, the Organising Committee of the XXXVI Chess Olympiad and the Spanish Chess Federation would like to state our indignation with regard to the surprising FIDE press release, and request:
1º The rectification of the lies and distortions, probably caused by the hurry in the emission of the FIDE press release, adjusting it to what really happened.
2º Once the responsibilities have been delimited, disciplinary measures must be adopted with regard to such a serious matter, the centre of attention of which was an executive of the highest body of the FIDE.
Spanish Chess Federation Organizing Committee of the XXXVI Chess Olympiad
President Mr. Javier Ochoa de Echagüen General Director Mr. Antonio Rami