Bloomberg reports that Garry Kasparov allegedly connected a South Sudanese activist with a US financier to acquire weapons for rebels.
According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, Garry Kasparov, the former world chess champion and a figure in the Russian opposition, is allegedly linked to a coup attempt in South Sudan. The report claims Kasparov introduced a South Sudanese activist to an American financier who unwittingly provided funds for a weapons procurement plan.
The alleged plot came to light during the US prosecution of Peter Ajak, a Harvard fellow and exiled South Sudanese activist, and his associate, Abraham Keech. They face federal charges for allegedly conspiring to illegally export arms to South Sudan and have both pleaded not guilty.
Bloomberg states that Ajak, who purportedly sought to purchase AK-47s and Stinger missiles to overthrow the government, lacked the necessary funds. However, he reportedly received $7 million from Robert Granieri, a co-founder of the Jane Street trading firm, according to sources cited by the agency.
Granieri maintains he was “duped” into financing the coup plot. His lawyer claims he believed the money would be used to support human rights activism.
Bloomberg reports that Kasparov played a role in the alleged plot by introducing Ajak to Granieri, noting that the chess grandmaster met Ajak during his time as chair of the Human Rights Foundation.
When asked about the case, Kasparov’s spokesperson relayed that he neither confirmed nor denied his involvement, telling Bloomberg: “My record and my values are clear, and they remain unchanged. I have spent much of my life standing up for civil rights and promoting democracy around the world.” Neither Kasparov nor Granieri is facing any charges.
South Sudan experienced a prolonged multi-sided civil war from 2013 to 2020, and factional conflicts continue to cause instability. The clashes have resulted in a humanitarian crisis, widespread atrocities, ethnic cleansing, and mass deportations.
Kasparov, a liberal activist and renowned chess player, is known for making controversial political statements.
In 2016, he defended the US invasion of Iraq, stating he “cannot condemn any action that removes a dictator.” He later opposed US talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program and criticized Washington’s withdrawal from Syria.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published in May 2024, Kasparov openly advocated for “regime change” in Russia and Iran.
A long-time critic of the Russian government, Kasparov left Russia in 2013 and has since resided in New York City. In 2022, the chess grandmaster, who supported Ukraine’s NATO membership, was designated a ‘foreign agent’ in Russia. Two years later, he was labeled a ‘terrorist and extremist’.
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