Russian authorities have issued an arrest warrant in absentia for former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, accusing him of publicly justifying and promoting terrorism through statements related to President Vladimir Putin. The decision was handed down by Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky District Court on December 23 and is set to take effect on December 26, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS.
Under the court order, Kasparov would face up to two months in pretrial detention if he is arrested on Russian soil or extradited to Russia. The measure reflects Moscow’s continued legal pursuit of prominent opposition figures who live abroad and openly criticize the Kremlin.
Kasparov has been charged under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which covers the public justification of terrorism using information and telecommunications networks, including the internet. The offense carries a potential prison sentence of five to seven years, along with a possible ban on holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities for up to five years.
The court said Kasparov has been placed on Russia’s official list of “terrorists and extremists.” Earlier, in May 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice designated him a “foreign agent,” a legal label used by the government for individuals and organizations accused of receiving foreign support while engaging in political activities. Kasparov currently resides outside the Russian Federation and has lived abroad for many years.
The case is being handled in absentia because Kasparov is not in Russia and has shown no intention of returning while President Putin remains in power. Russian officials acknowledge that his detention is unlikely in the near term, given his residence overseas.
Kasparov responded quickly after news of the arrest warrant became public. Writing on social media, he dismissed the accusation and criticized the Russian government, saying that opposing what he described as “state terrorism” is now being labeled terrorism itself. His comment underscores the sharp divide between the Kremlin’s position and that of its critics.
Supporters of Kasparov and international human rights groups have long argued that Russia’s laws on extremism and foreign agents are applied broadly to silence dissent. They view the charges against the former chess champion as part of a wider campaign to pressure critics and discourage opposition voices, especially those with global visibility.
Russian authorities, however, maintain that the law is being applied consistently and that public statements which, in their view, justify or encourage violence must be prosecuted regardless of who makes them. They insist the case is legal, not political.
Kasparov, 62, is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. He held the world championship title from 1985 to 2000 and remained the world’s top-ranked player for more than 21 years, a record unmatched in chess history. Current world number one Magnus Carlsen has described Kasparov as the strongest player ever.
Since retiring from professional chess two decades ago, Kasparov has remained active as a writer, speaker, and political activist. He has continued to participate occasionally in elite chess events, mainly in the United States and Croatia, while using his international profile to criticize the Russian government.
The arrest warrant adds a new chapter to Kasparov’s long-running confrontation with the Kremlin, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and high-profile critics living in exile.
Top photo: For illustration purposes only. Kasparov hasn’t been arrested.
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