Garry Kasparov Allegedly Linked to South Sudan Coup Plot Amid Controversial Political Stance
Bloomberg reports that former world chess champion and Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov is implicated in an alleged coup plot in South Sudan. The grandmaster is said to have introduced a local activist to an American financier to source weapons for arming rebels, the outlet reports. This case comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and raises questions about the influence of high-profile individuals in regional conflicts.
The alleged plot emerged from the US prosecution of Peter Ajak, a Harvard fellow and exiled South Sudanese activist, and his associate, Abraham Keech. Both are facing federal charges of conspiring to illegally export arms to South Sudan; they have pleaded not guilty. Ajak allegedly sought to acquire AK-47s and Stinger missiles to topple the government but lacked the necessary funds until receiving $7 million from Robert Granieri, a co-founder of the Jane Street trading firm. Granieri’s lawyer claims he was ‘duped’ into funding the scheme, believing the money would support human rights activism.
Kasparov, who introduced Ajak to Granieri during his tenure as chair of the Human Rights Foundation, has not confirmed or denied his involvement in the case. In response to the allegations, Kasparov stated via his spokesperson, ‘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.’ Both Kasparov and Granieri are not facing charges.
South Sudan has been embroiled in a multi-sided civil war from 2013 to 2020, with factional conflicts still a major source of instability. The ongoing violence has resulted in a humanitarian disaster, numerous atrocities, ethnic cleansings, and mass deportations. The conflict continues to impact the region, with international attention focused on addressing the humanitarian crisis.
Kasparov, a liberal activist widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players ever, has a history of making controversial political statements. In 2016, he defended the U.S. decision to invade Iraq, stating that he ‘cannot condemn any action that removes a dictator.’ Later, he opposed U.S. talks with Iran over its nuclear program and criticized Washington for withdrawing from Syria.
In a May 2024 opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Kasparov openly advocated for ‘regime change’ in Russia and Iran. A vocal critic of the Russian government for decades, Kasparov left Russia in 2013 and has since resided in New York City. In 2022, he was labeled a ‘foreign agent’ in Russia, and two years later was designated as a ‘terrorist and extremist.’
The case highlights the complexities of international relations and the potential role of individuals with significant influence in geopolitical scenarios. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this development will affect the broader context of regional stability and international law.