Renowned chess grandmaster and political activist Garry Kasparov found himself at the center of controversy as Russia’s financial watchdog, Rosfinmonitoring, added him to its list of “terrorists and extremists” on Wednesday. This move has sparked widespread debate and raised concerns about freedom of expression in the country.

Kasparov, aged 60 and a former world chess champion, has long been an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has consistently condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His inclusion on the list, typically reserved for individuals associated with terrorism or extremism, has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism both domestically and internationally.

The financial watchdog, responsible for combating money laundering and terror financing, did not provide specific reasons for adding Kasparov to the list. However, it is widely perceived that the Kremlin often brands dissenters as “extremists” or “foreign agents” to suppress opposition voices.

Reacting to his inclusion on the list, Kasparov responded with characteristic wit, joking about the label on his social media platform. “An honor that says more about Putin’s fascist regime than about me,” he wrote, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Kasparov, revered as one of the greatest chess players in history, has resided in the United States for over a decade, where he has dedicated himself to political activism. In February of the previous year, he urged Western nations to maintain their support for Kyiv and emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s victory over Moscow as a prerequisite for democratic progress in Russia.

The decision to label Kasparov as a “terrorist” or “extremist” underscores the ongoing tensions between the Russian government and dissenting voices within the country and abroad. Many see this action as a further erosion of civil liberties and a crackdown on opposition figures, raising concerns about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Russia.

Sources By Agencies