Kasparov Detained

This just in. Former world champion Garry Kasparov has been arrested at a demonstration in Moscow. Let's hope it's over quickly. If you have any friends in the Kremlin, please call and raise a stink. I don't suppose the Russian consulate in Chicago is open today, but it might be worth a try. Maybe they have an answering machine, though I suspect that's unlikely. Anyone with more info please post it in comments. Thanks.

Police detain Kasparov at Moscow march

By MIKE ECKEL, Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW - Police detained Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion, and at least 100 other activists Saturday as they gathered for a forbidden anti-Kremlin demonstration in central Moscow.

The so-called Dissenters' March increased tension between opposition supporters who complain the Kremlin is cracking down on political dissent and authorities who vow to block any unauthorized demonstrations.

A similar march planned for St. Petersburg on Sunday also has been banned.

Full text here.

Update (Saturday night): CNN is reporting that Garry has been fined and released. Incidentally, it appears there is no Russian consulate in Chicago at the moment.