Rakhimov resigns from troubled boxing body AIBA

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Businessman and alleged drug trafficker Gafur Rakhimov has resigned as president of the International Boxing Association after his tenure played a role in the body being stripped of the right to organize the Olympic boxing events.

The Uzbekistani became interim president of AIBA in January 2018 and was officially elected president 10 months later.

That was despite opposition from the International Olympic Committee, which pointed to United States sanctions against Rakhimov. The U.S. Treasury has accused him of involvement in drug production and heroin trafficking. Rakhimov denies any wrongdoing and is trying to have the sanctions lifted.

Rakhimov stepped aside from the presidency in March but continued to formally hold office while a new interim president, Mohamed Moustahsane, took over the running of AIBA.