Kasparov decided not to return to Russia

The chess player and politician Harry Kasparov decided not to return to Russia so far. He stated this at a press conference in Geneva dedicated to the award of the UN Watch human rights organization. The audio recording of the press conference is published on the official website of Kasparov.

Kasparov explained that he was afraid of persecution by the Russian authorities. “I went back and forth until the end of February, when it became clear that the ongoing investigation of the activities of political activists can touch me,” Kasparov said. “Now I seriously doubt that upon returning to Moscow I will be able to go back. So for some time I will refrain from returning to Russia.”

On Friday, Kasparov explained on Facebook the motives of his decision. He said that he was already “invited” in Russia for a conversation with prosecutors. "I do not want to give myself to the mercy of the Investigative Committee of Alexander Bastrykin, who deserves to become the head of the" list of Magnitsky "by the Russian official," Kasparov writes.

The politician asks for no doubt about his commitment to the work of free and strong Russia. Kasparov notes that he achieves the introduction of "against criminals and bandits in the Kremlin" international sanctions. “I had hundreds of meetings and speeches in order to promote the adoption of such legislation,” he writes. “It is impossible to imagine that I will be able to continue this work in Russia today.

On April 7, a member of the Solidarity Federal Bureau, Ilya Yashin, said that Kasparov would no longer participate in the leadership of the movement. “As far as I understand, he (Kasparov. - Ed.) Decided to emigrate from Russia,” Yashin wrote on Twitter from the 4th Congress of Solidarity. Kasparov did not participate in the congress. He denied Yashin’s statement on the Kasparov.ru website.

"The rumors that appeared today about my emigration and leaving Russian politics extremely surprised and saddened me. I could not answer right away, because I was shocked by the fact that the statement, similar to the many fakes, constantly distributed by the Kremlin propagandists, today sounded from the mouth of the coordinating council of the opposition and my former colleague of the Solidarity of the Solidarity Ilya. Yashin, it is obvious that this sensational statement in the Yashinsky Twitter attracted great attention to the congress of "solidarity", which otherwise would have passed absolutely unnoticed, ”Kasparov said then.

“This is the decision of Harry Kimovich himself,” explained another member of the leadership of the “solidarity” Alexander Ryklin. “Yesterday he called me, Boris Nemtsov and said that he was not planning to be one of the leaders of" solidarity. "But I immediately note that Kasparov is not going to leave the organization itself." Ryklin suggested that Kasparov’s decision is associated with his frequent trips and active social activities.

On Thursday, in Geneva, Kasparov received a named after Morris Abram during a solemn dinner on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Un Watch. The award was announced to him in April. "Un Watch decided to give the award to them. Morris Abram Harry Kasparov for his long and non -violent struggle for the fundamental human rights in Russia," said the executive director of the organization Hillel Neuer. "Mr. Kasparov is not only one of the smartest people in the world, but also one of the most brave people."

The annual award for human rights activities is named after the respected American human rights activist, diplomat and US ambassador to the UN, which founded Un Watch as an observant non -profit organization in 1993. Un Watch is known for the organization of the annual summit on human rights and democracy in Geneva. In addition, it provides an opportunity to make testimony in the UN Human Rights Council for victims of human rights violations from countries such as China, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Venezuela.