Kasparov in court over rally claim

Russian opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov will appear in court today after authorities accused him of participating in an unauthorised rally.

Kasparov, the former world chess champion and anti-Vladimir Putin activist, was detained last Friday as he was rallying in support of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot outside the Moscow court where members were sentenced to two years in prison.

He was also called for questioning after a police officer accused him of biting his hand while he was being detained.

Recent amendments to the law that regulates public gatherings raised the fine for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration by 150 times to 300,000 rubles (€7,465).

Kasparov says he is planning to file a complaint against his detention and a libel case against his accuser.