Kasparov Cleared in Pussy Riot Protest

A court has unexpectedly cleared Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov of illegal protesting outside the trial of punk band Pussy Riot, where three members were sentenced to two years in prison for protesting the Putin regime. More:

The 49-year-old was speaking to journalists outside the court where the Pussy Riot trial was proceeding Aug. 17 when several riot policemen violently grabbed him and threw him into a police van along with dozens of other protesters.

Four witnesses confirmed that is what happened, Interfax reported.

The Khamovnichesky District Court, where three Pussy Riot members were sentenced to two years in prison, said Friday that police witnesses had not proved that he had taken part in the unsanctioned protest and acquitted him.

"I think it's a very important day, a historic day, because for the first time in our courts the evidence of a policeman was not accepted just because he wears a uniform," Kasparov said after the decision.

But don't worry, like all Putin opponents Kasparov faces another trumped-up charge.

Kasparov could still face criminal charges based on a police officer's accusation that the opposition leader bit him while he was being detained. Police have sent documents about that accusation to federal investigators for review, Interfax said.

Kasparov, who enjoys broad international support that keeps him a bit safer than other Russian democracy advocates at home, says he plans to file a complaint against his detention. Learn more about the chess champion turned political activist.