Russian chess great Garry Kasparov has been declared a terrorist by Russia. The Russian government did not give any reason for this announcement.
Chess grandmaster and political leader Garry Kasparov has been included in the list of ‘terrorists and extremists’ by Russia’s financial watchdog. Garry Kasparov, the 60-year-old former world chess champion, has been a long-time critic of President Vladimir Putin and has consistently condemned Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.
Russia’s financial watchdog Rosfin has added Garry Kasparov to its blacklist. The bank prohibits people on the terrorist list from conducting bank transactions and requires them to obtain permission each time they access their accounts.
Kasparov left Russia in 2014 due to fear of persecution. In 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice placed Kasparov and former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on the list of ‘foreign agents’.
Kasparov in America
Rights groups say the label is a weapon used by the Kremlin to suppress its opponents. The term ‘foreign agent’ is used for persons whom they consider to be enemies of the country. Kasparov is considered one of the best chess players in the world. He has lived in America for almost a decade to focus on politics.
Support Ukraine
In February last year, Kasparov called on the West to maintain its support for Kiev. He said that Ukraine needs to defeat Moscow to bring about democratic changes in Russia.
