Garry Kasparov Warned by US of Life Threats Amid Kremlin‑Linked Plot Claims

Wed Oct 07 2026 06:42:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former chess champion Garry Kasparov says US security warned him of danger amid indictment linking Russia to targeted attacks on exiles.

Garry Kasparov, a former World Chess Champion turned political dissident, claims he received warnings from U.S. and Lithuanian security services that his life was at risk. The claim follows a U.S. Justice Department indictment accusing a network linked to the Kremlin of plotting attacks on Russian exiles. Kasparov said he and another dissident were advised to take precautions, but refused to hide. The allegations highlight the ongoing threat to Russian opposition figures worldwide.

Russian dissident Garry Kasparov claims US warned him of danger

Former chess champion Garry Kasparov said he received warnings from US and Lithuanian security services that his life was at risk after an indictment accused Kremlin‑linked operatives of targeting Russian exiles.

The Justice Department unveiled a charge this month alleging a network—named the RIS Network—planned attacks on dissidents abroad. The indictment accuses five alleged operatives from Russia‑backed services of coordinating plots that reached the United States and sought to recruit local citizens.

Kasparov, who fled Russia in 2013 and now resides in the United States, said he was one of two opposition figures warned by authorities. He added that he and fellow Free Russia Forum co‑founder Ivan Tyutrin had been advised to take precautions.

These allegations come as the Kremlin continues to crack down on critics. In 2024, Russia added Kasparov to a list of alleged terrorists and extremists, a designation the former champion rejects. Other exiled figures, including former MP Ilya Ponomarev, have also been cited as potential targets.

The US has repeatedly said it will shield dissidents it deems at risk. In the US, security agencies are working with host countries to ensure the safety of these individuals, according to officials.