FIDE has clearly stated, with an announcement last week, that federations cannot be excluded from elections due to debts.

In a letter to federations on 18th July, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich claims that FIDE office sent letters to national chess federations informing them "about their debt" which "must be covered (...) or the respective federation won't be allowed to participate in FIDE Olympiad and FIDE President elections".

FIDE Treasurer, Prof. Dr. Adrian Siegel, replies with a letter stating that "Mr. Dvorkovich produces fake news to terrify national chess federations".

Both letters are attached below.

Letter of Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich

Letter of Prof. Dr. Adrian Siegel