Chess Legend Garry Kasparov Branded ‘Terrorist & Extremist’ By Russia

Moscow: Chess legend and political activist Garry Kasparov has been branded a terrorist by Russian authorities.

Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial watchdog, has added Kasparov to its list of ‘terrorists and extremists’, reported AFP.

The 60-year-old former World chess champion over a decade and a half (1985 to 2000) has been an opponent of President Vladimir Putin for long, having repeatedly spoken out against Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.

Rosfinmonitoring, responsible for combating money-laundering and terror-financing, didn’t give a reason for adding Soviet-born Kasparov to its database of ‘terrorists and extremists’.

Persons in that infamous list can have their bank accounts seized.

Kasparov, widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest chess players of all time, has lived in the US for over a decade and focused on political activism.

Last month, Kasparov urged the West to maintain its support for Ukraine. He also made it clear that Ukraine must defeat Moscow as a “pre-condition” for a democratic transition in Russia.

According to critics, the insulting label is another tool the Kremlin has been using to silence critics.