Garry Kasparov says US and Lithuanian security services warned him his life was at risk
Kasparov says American and Lithuanian agencies informed him and other exiled Russian critics that their lives were under threat.
Garry Kasparov, the Kremlin critic and former world chess champion, said that United States and Lithuanian security services warned him that his life was at risk and urged him to take precautionary measures. He said other opposition figures were also targeted, including Ilya Ponomarev and Ivan Tyutrin.
Kasparov describes the warning
Kasparov, who lives in exile in the United States, said the information was both expected and disturbing. He told reporters that the warning named him and a longtime colleague as possible assassination targets.
“The news that I and my long-time colleague and co-founder of the Free Russia forum, Ivan Tyutrin, are on a list of targets for assassination was not a surprise to me, but, nevertheless, it is a shock. Lithuanian and American security services informed us that our lives are in danger and that we should take precautionary measures, which we are doing,” Kasparov said.
Kasparov’s statement underscores concern among several exiled Russian opposition figures who have faced threats in recent years.
Ivan Tyutrin, who lives in Vilnius, said Lithuanian authorities warned him two weeks ago to leave his home immediately and to get rid of his car. Tyutrin’s account indicates that at least some of the precautions advised by security services were urgent and specific.
There has been no public comment from Lithuanian or United States security agencies elaborating on the warnings. Kasparov and the others said they are following recommended safety steps.
Photo: AP)
