Garry Kasparov Says He Was Warned of Assassination Plot Against Him

Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov said he has been alerted to a plan to assassinate him, according to a report from RFI. The warning came after the United States indicted five people accused of preparing the killings of several dissidents living in exile.

Kasparov, a prominent critic of the Russian government who has lived outside Russia for years, said on his blog that the revelation was not a surprise to him but remained "still a shock." The comment reflects his longstanding awareness of potential threats tied to his opposition activities, even as confirmation of an active plot carried its own emotional impact.

Charges in the United States

The report indicates that US authorities have charged five individuals in connection with an alleged plot to kill multiple dissidents living abroad, though the summary available for this report does not specify the nationalities of those charged, the identities of all intended targets, or the current stage of the US legal proceedings against them.

Kasparov, who won the world chess championship in 1985 and became one of the youngest champions in the sport's history, has for years been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin, engaging in political activism and commentary from abroad. Exiled critics of the Russian government have periodically reported threats or alleged plots against them, reflecting the risks associated with high-profile opposition activity conducted from outside the country.

No further details on the specific nature of the alleged plot against Kasparov, including when it was planned to take place or how it was uncovered, were available in the source material reviewed for this report.