An alleged terrorist
Garry Kasparov has been put on a wanted list for arrest in absentia in Moscow on charges of "justifying terrorism" and "preparing a coup d'état". A corresponding application was filed with the Samoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow on 22 December. The district court granted the application.
Kasparov's name has already been on the Rosfin monitoring list of the Russian government for some time. This is a list of "terrorists and extremists" maintained by the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of the Russian Federation. The financial watchdog was established in 2001 by President Vladimir Putin. The list contains the names of more than 17,800 individuals and over 800 organisations classified by the Russian authorities as "terrorists" or "extremists".
Garry Kasparov's rise to the top was meteoric and at his very first attempt he managed to become World Champion, the youngest of all time. In over six hours of video, he gives a first hand account of crucial events from recent chess history, you can improve your chess understanding and enjoy explanations and comments from a unique and outstanding personality on and off the chess board.According to the prosecution, the former world chess champion (1985–2000) is alleged to have publicly called for "terrorist activities" and to have "publicly justified and promoted terrorism". The Russian Criminal Code provides for prison sentences of up to seven years for these offences.
According to the ruling of the Russian authorities and the court, Kasparov is part of a group of so-called foreign agents who are allegedly planning and seeking to carry out an armed uprising and a violent seizure of power in Russia.
The main mastermind behind the planned uprising is said to be the former Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who previously spent several years in prison in Russia and is also listed as a foreign agent. In the view of the Russian authorities, Khodorkovsky is the chief ideologue and founder of the "Russian Anti-War Committee", which was established after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine (referred to as a "special military operation"). In Russia, this committee has been designated an "undesirable organisation". Individuals involved in the organisation have been monitored by the Russian domestic intelligence service, the FSB. According to FSB investigations, members of the organisation living in Europe intend to overthrow the current Russian government.
In connection with the arrest warrant, Russian media have reported that Kasparov was also involved in the international arms trade and in planning a coup in South Sudan. He is said to have brokered a meeting between South Sudanese opposition leader Peter Ajak and representatives of US Wall Street.
In 2005, Kasparov announced his retirement from professional chess and has since been involved in Russian politics with his party "The Other Russia". Following the murder of his associate Boris Nemtsov in March 2015, Kasparov left Russia as he feared for his life. He has remained a sharp critic of Russian policy and has commented on events from exile ever since. In his book Winter Is Coming, he had predicted the current developments at an early stage.
Report on ptoday.ru…
