MOSCOW: Chess legend turned Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov was denied access to Moscow’s Red Square on Sunday during a low-key protest against a presidential election he described as a “farce.” Four Kasparov supporters were detained after he left for refusing a police order to disperse.

“Russian citizens are being forced to take part in a farce which is called an election, but is actually all Kremlin intrigue,” Kasparov told journalists as he strolled near the Kremlin.

Some 20 riot police prevented him from entering Red Square before barriers were set up to block the entrance.

“They brought out all the police and it’s just a Russian citizen going for a walk,” said Kasparov, who was holding an empty plastic bag with the words: “I will not take part in this farce.” Kasparov, who was detained for five days in November for taking part in an illegal protest in Moscow, said he plans to take part in a protest in Saint Petersburg on Monday.—AFP