Russia: Garry Kasparov seeking Latvian citizenship
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 5 November 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Garry Kasparov seeking Latvian citizenship, 5 November 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/528b689114.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 05, 2013
Garry Kasparov during the "March of Millions" protest rally in Moscow in September 2012
Garry Kasparov, the Russian opposition figure and former world chess champion, is seeking Latvian citizenship.
Reports say Kasparov has sent a letter to all Latvian parliamentary factions asking to be awarded citizenship.
He writes that Latvian citizenship will allow him to be involved in political activities in Russia and elsewhere "without any restrictions."
Kasparov says he wants to retain his Russian citizenship, however.
Kasparov was born in 1963 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Some of his relatives currently live in Latvia.
He also said he had won an "important" chess victory in Latvia when he was 7 years old.
Based on reporting by Interfax and rus.delfi.lv
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
