FSB Questions Russian Opposition Leader

Investigators from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) questioned opposition leader Garry Kasparov for four hours today. The questioning came less than a week after Kasparov was detained and released during antigovernment protests in Moscow on April 14.

Kasparov said FSB investigators asked him about recent statements he made to Ekho Moskvy radio and items in a newspaper published by his opposition group, the United Civil Front, before demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg on April 14 and 15.

On April 16, Ekho Moskvy said the FSB had requested a transcript of an April 8 broadcast featuring Kasparov. According to Ekho Moskvy, the FSB said it wanted to check Kasparov's comments for "possible signs of criminal activity."

Marina Litvinovich, a Kasparov aide, told AP that the FSB was "equating dissatisfaction with the current leadership with extremism."

Kasparov's lawyer Karina Moskalenko said the former world chess champion "is not accused of anything at present." Moskalenko added that Kasparov's legal team sees "no grounds for criminal or administrative prosecution."