Prominent Russian dissident and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov has revealed that he was warned by American and Lithuanian security services about a potential threat to his life. Kasparov stated that he and fellow Free Russia Forum co-founder Ivan Tyutrin were alerted to take necessary precautions, which they have since implemented.

This revelation follows a recent indictment unsealed by the U.S. Justice Department, which charges five individuals allegedly connected to a Kremlin-backed network with orchestrating attacks and murders in various countries, including the United States. The targets are reportedly Russian dissidents and defectors.

While Kasparov noted he wasn’t explicitly told he and Tyutrin were specific targets, the warnings were clear. Spanish newspaper El Mundo, citing sources close to Kasparov, reported that U.S. authorities had issued similar warnings over the summer, leading to enhanced security measures for the chess legend for the first time since his relocation to the U.S. Kasparov has remained defiant, stating, “I will not stop and I will not hide, even if I thought it was possible to do so. My family and I will not truly be safe as long as [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is in power in Russia – a circumstance shared by millions.”

Kasparov, who retired from chess in 2005 to engage in political activism against Putin, fled Russia in 2013 and has not returned. Russia has designated him a foreign agent and, more recently, added him to its list of terrorists and extremists, classifications he vehemently rejects. Another opposition figure, Ilya Ponomarev, the sole Russian MP who opposed the 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequently went into exile, was also reportedly warned. Ponomarev declined to confirm the tip-off but described the allegations as a “new level of escalation” by Russia.

Key Takeaways

• Former chess champion Garry Kasparov and another dissident were warned by U.S. and Lithuanian security services about threats to their lives.
• The warnings come amid a U.S. indictment against a Kremlin-linked network accused of plotting assassinations of Russian dissidents abroad.
• Kasparov remains defiant, stating he will not be intimidated and that true safety is impossible while Vladimir Putin remains in power.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

The alleged plot highlights the escalating international tensions and the perceived reach of Russian intelligence operations against its critics. The indictment of individuals linked to a ‘global assassination network’ suggests a significant escalation in covert actions, potentially impacting diplomatic relations and international security. For dissidents living abroad, these events underscore the persistent risks they face, reinforcing the need for enhanced security measures and international cooperation. The situation also puts a spotlight on the broader geopolitical struggle and the lengths to which states may go to silence opposition, with significant implications for freedom of expression and political dissent globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Garry Kasparov?
A: Garry Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster, a former World Chess Champion, and a prominent political activist and dissident who has been critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Q: What is the RIS Network?
A: The RIS Network is described by the U.S. Justice Department as a network of individuals allegedly working for Russian intelligence services, conspiring to carry out attacks and murders against Russian dissidents and defectors globally.

Q: Why was Ilya Ponomarev targeted?
A: Ilya Ponomarev was reportedly targeted because he was the only Russian Member of Parliament who voted against the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and later went into exile in Ukraine. He is a known critic of the Russian government.