On July 17, 2019, the World Bank’s Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer (SDO) imposed a three-year debarment with conditional release on OOO Fides Solutions and Ravshan Rizametov pursuant to a Notice of Uncontested Sanctions Proceedings in Sanctions Case No. 588, the WB said in a statement.

The specific accusation made by the Integrity Vice Presidency in the case was that Fides Solutions and Rizametov engaged in a corrupt practice offering a thing of value to a World Bank staff member in an attempt to improperly influence the staff member’s actions in connection with a future contract under the Uzbekistan Modernizing Higher Education Project.

Fides Solutions and Rizametov did not submit an Explanation to the SDO in accordance with the Bank Procedure: Sanctions Proceedings and Settlements in Bank Financed Projects issued by the Bank on June 28, 2016.

Fides Solutions and Rizametov also did not submit a Response to the World Bank Group Sanctions Board within the period specified in the Sanctions Procedures.  Accordingly, the sanction recommended by the SDO is deemed uncontested and has entered into force as of July 17, 2019.