Russia has issued an international arrest warrant against the former world chess champion of Armenian origin, Garry Kasparov. Garry Kasparov, who took his mother’s Armenian name, Klara Kasparova, originally from Artsakh and settled in Baku where Garry was born in 1963, from a Jewish father.
The Russian law enforcement agencies have issued an international arrest warrant against Garry Kasparov, previously tried in absentia for terrorism apology and two violations of the rules related to activities as a “foreign agent”. This is according to the file consulted by the TASS agency.
“G. K. Kasparov was charged in absentia under Article 205.2, paragraph 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (apology for terrorism on the Internet) and Article 330.1, paragraph 2 (violation of the rules related to activities as a foreign agent – two charges). G. K. Kasparov has been listed as wanted at the federal and international levels. An international wanted list has been established against him,” the document specifies.
On December 22, 2025, the Zamoskvoretsky district court in Moscow ordered the temporary detention of Kasparov for a period of two months. This period begins from his surrender to the Russian authorities (in case of extradition or expulsion) or his actual arrest on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Kasparov was initially charged under Article 205.2, paragraph 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (public apology for terrorism through information and communication networks, especially the Internet). This article carries a prison sentence of five to seven years, with a ban on certain functions or activities for a maximum of five years. He was later charged in absentia with two offenses under Article 330.1, paragraph 2, of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (procedural violation). For activities within the jurisdiction of a foreign agent, Gary Kasparov faces a sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine.
The Russian Ministry of Justice listed him as a “foreign agent” in May 2022, justifying it with “political activities”. Ukraine and the American Human Rights Foundation were cited as foreign sources. Russian courts have repeatedly prosecuted him for “violation of the law on foreign agents”. Gary Kasparov currently resides outside of Russia.
Krikor Amirzayan
