You're reading: Kasparov to face court for unauthorized rally

MOSCOW — Russian opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov is in court on Friday after authorities accused him of participating in an unauthorized 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 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 unauthorized demonstration by 150 times to 300,000 rubles (about $9,000).

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