Opposition leader Garry Kasparov shows his crossed-out ballot paper in a polling station in Moscow December 2, 2007. Russians voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election wiedely viewed as a referendum on President Vladimir Putin and overshadowed by opposition accusations that pro-Kremlin forces enjoy an unfair advantage. REUTERS/Alexander Reshetnikov (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov (R) speaks to journalists in front of his house after his release from jail in Moscow November 29, 2007. Former world chess champion Kasparov said on Thursday Russia risked becoming a dictatorship as he left jail after a five-day sentence for organising an illegal opposition protest. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov (R) steps out of his house to speak to journalists after his release from jail in Moscow November 29, 2007. Former world chess champion Kasparov said on Thursday Russia risked becoming a dictatorship as he left jail after serving a five-day sentence for organising an illegal opposition protest. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

Opposition activist Maria Gaidar (L) applauds fellow opposition leader Garry Kasparov outside his house after his release from jail in Moscow November 29, 2007. Former world chess champion Kasparov said on Thursday Russia risked becoming a dictatorship as he left jail after serving a five-day sentence for organising an illegal opposition protest. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks to journalists in front of his house after being released from jail in Moscow November 29, 2007. Former world chess champion Kasparov said on Thursday Russia risked becoming a dictatorship as he left jail after serving a five-day sentence for organising an illegal opposition protest. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

Russian satirist Viktor Shenderovich speaks in a court building after he was detained protesting in support of opposition leader Garry Kasparov in Moscow November 29, 2007. Shenderovich, a radio journalist and political satirist, was holding a sign saying Free Garry Kasparov outside police headquarters on Wednesday and was detained after a provocateur came out with a flag and stood beside him, he told Reuters. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

Russian satirist Viktor Shenderovich speaks in a court build after he was detained protesting in support of opposition leader Garry Kasparov, in Moscow November 29, 2007. Shenderovich, a radio journalist and political satirist, was holding a sign saying Free Garry Kasparov outside police headquarters on Wednesday and was detained after a provocateur came out with a flag and stood beside him, he told Reuters. REUTERS/Grigory Dukor (RUSSIA) 

People hold banners and shout slogans during a protest in support of opposition leader Garry Kasparov in Moscow November 29, 2007. Opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov is serving a five-day sentence at a Moscow detention centre for leading a protest against President Vladimir Putin last weekend. He is due to be freed on Thursday. The banners read, "Free Garry Kasparov." REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

A plainclothes policeman (R) detains a man standing with a poster that reads "Free Kasparov" in central Moscow, November 28, 2007. Opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov is serving a five-day sentence at a Moscow detention centre for leading a protest against President Vladimir Putin last weekend. He is due to be freed on Thursday. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

Russian police detain a journalist during coverage of a picket against the detention of opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in central Moscow, November 28, 2007. Kasparov is serving a five-day sentence at a Moscow detention centre for leading a protest against President Vladimir Putin last weekend. He is due to be freed on Thursday. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov (C) is driven off by police from a court building after his hearing in Moscow November 26, 2007. Russian opposition leader and former chess champion Kasparov failed on Monday in an appeal against his detention during a street protest over the weekend, one of his aides said. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA) 

Chess grandmaster and opposition leader Garry Kasparov (C) pushes through the crowd before being detained by the police during an opposition rally in central Moscow November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA) 

Chess grandmaster and opposition leader Garry Kasparov (C) pushes through the crowd before being detained by the police during an opposition rally in central Moscow November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA) 

Russian riot policemen are seen through a shield as they block off a road during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained opposition leader and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

Opposition supporters shout during a rally in central Moscow November 24, 2007. Around 3,000 people attended the protest in the centre of Moscow organised by the Garry Kasparov-led Other Russia group to demonstrate against a pro-Kremlin party's stranglehold on politics ahead of parliamentary elections next month. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (RUSSIA) 

Police officers detain human right activist Lev Ponomarev during an opposition rally in central Moscow November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained opposition leader and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

An opposition supporter opposes a police line during a rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Around 3,000 people attended the protest in the centre of Moscow organised by the Garry Kasparov-led The Other Russia group to demonstrate against a pro-Kremlin party's stranglehold on politics ahead of a parliamentary elections next month. REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresensky (RUSSIA) 

Police detain an opposition supporter during a rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Around 3,000 people attended the protest in the centre of Moscow organised by the Garry Kasparov-led The Other Russia group to demonstrate against a pro-Kremlin party's stranglehold on politics ahead of a parliamentary elections next month. REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresensky (RUSSIA) 

A police officer arrests an opposition supporter during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained opposition leader and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

An opposition supporter waves his party's flag as he runs along a street during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained opposition leader and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

An opposition supporter holds up a flare during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Around 3,000 people attended the protest in the centre of Moscow organised by the Garry Kasparov-led The Other Russia group to demonstrate against a pro-Kremlin party's stranglehold on politics ahead of a parliamentary elections next month. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (RUSSIA) 

An opposition supporter shouts slogans during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Around 3,000 people attended the protest in the centre of Moscow organised by the Garry Kasparov-led The Other Russia group to demonstrate against a pro-Kremlin party's stranglehold on politics ahead of a parliamentary elections next month. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (RUSSIA) 

Police officers detain Russian human rights activist Lev Ponomarev during an opposition rally in central Moscow, November 24, 2007. Russia's police detained opposition leader and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and several other anti-Kremlin protesters on Saturday as they demonstrated against President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov poses with his book "La vie est une partie d'echec" (How Life Imitates Chess) during a news conference in Paris November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov attends a news conference in Paris November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov attends a news conference in Paris, November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during a news conference in Paris November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov attends a news conference in Paris, November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during a news conference in Paris November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during a news conference in Paris, November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during a news conference in Paris, November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov poses with his book "La vie est une partie d'echec" (How Life Imitates Chess) during a news conference in Paris, November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (FRANCE) 

Russian opposition leader Eduard Limonov gestures during a news conference in Moscow October 3, 2007. Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin's plan to run for parliament was part of a dangerous design to hang onto power that would ultimately undermine stability. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during a news conference in Moscow October 3, 2007. Kasparov said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin's plan to run for parliament was part of a dangerous design to hang onto power that would ultimately undermine stability. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov gestures during a news conference in Moscow October 3, 2007. Kasparov said on Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin's plan to run for parliament was part of a dangerous design to hang onto power that would ultimately undermine stability. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Garry Kasparov (R) and Eduard Limonov attend the national congress of The Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow September 30, 2007. The Other Russia opposition movement on Sunday held a national congress ahead of Russia electing a new parliament in December and a successor to President Vladimir Putin in March 2008. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during the national congress of The Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow September 30, 2007. The Other Russia opposition movement on Sunday held a national congress ahead of Russia electing a new parliament in December and a successor to President Vladimir Putin in March 2008. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Garry Kasparov (R) and Eduard Limonov attend the national congress of The Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow September 30, 2007. The Other Russia opposition movement on Sunday held a national congress ahead of Russia electing a new parliament in December and a successor to President Vladimir Putin in March 2008. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov speaks during the national congress of The Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow September 30, 2007. The Other Russia opposition movement on Sunday held a national congress ahead of Russia electing a new parliament in December and a successor to President Vladimir Putin in March 2008. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Garry Kasparov, chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion, and Eduard Limonov (L) chat during a regional conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow, September 24, 2007. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and oppositionist Garry Kasparov speaks as he attends a regional conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow, September 24, 2007. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and oppositionist Garry Kasparov speaks to the media at a hotel in Warsaw during his visit in Poland September 21, 2007. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel(POLAND) 

Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and oppositionist Garry Kasparov speaks to the media at a hotel in Warsaw during his visit in Poland September 21, 2007. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel(POLAND) 

Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and oppositionist Garry Kasparov gestures as he speaks to the media at a hotel in Warsaw during his visit in Poland, September 21, 2007. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel(POLAND) 

Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion and oppositionist Garry Kasparov speaks to the media at a hotel in Warsaw during his visit in Poland September 21, 2007. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel(POLAND) 

Opposition leader Garry Kasparov lays flowers at the house of slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya on occasion of her birthday in Moscow August 30, 2007. The son of murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya has welcomed news of arrests in her case but expressed concern that political grandstanding by officials could harm chances of a conviction. REUTERS/Denis Sinyakov (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov speaks at a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 8, 2007. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of Kremlin-critical groups who have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov (R) speaks with human rights campaigner Sergei Kovalev at a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 8, 2007. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of Kremlin-critical groups who have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader Eduard Limonov (L) speaks during a news conference as fellow opposition leader Garry Kasparov listens at a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 7, 2007. The Other Russia coalition is to discuss during the two day conference how to bring forward a single opposition candidate for next year's presidential election, the coalition said in a statement. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of groups that have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Eduard Limonov (L) and Garry Kasparov speak during a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 7, 2007. The Other Russia coalition is to discuss during the two day conference how to bring forward a single opposition candidate for next year's presidential election, the coalition said in a statement. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of groups that have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leader and chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov laughs during a news conference at a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 7, 2007. The Other Russia coalition is to discuss during the two day conference how to bring forward a single opposition candidate for next year's presidential election, the coalition said in a statement. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of groups that have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Eduard Limonov (L) and Garry Kasparov speak during a conference of the Other Russia opposition coalition in Moscow July 7, 2007. The Other Russia coalition is to discuss during the two day conference how to bring forward a single opposition candidate for next year's presidential election, the coalition said in a statement. Other Russia is made up of a wide spectrum of groups that have been excluded from mainstream Russian politics, either because they have been banned or have fallen foul of tough new restrictions on the registration of parties. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Chess champion turned opposition leader Garry Kasparov watches his supporters rally over the head of a policeman in central Moscow June 11, 2007. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders former chess champion Garry Kasparov (L) and Eduard Limonov, head of the radical National Bolshevik party, watch their supporters rally in central Moscow June 11, 2007. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA) 

Opposition leaders Garry Kasparov (2nd R), Sergei Gulyaev (2nd L) and other opposition activists shout slogans during a rally in St Petersburg June 9, 2007. Opposition protesters marched through St Petersburg on Saturday to demonstrate against President Vladimir Putin while he was hosting a huge conference for investors in his home city. Around 3,500 people marched peacefully through the historic city centre shouting "Shame on the Kremlin, shame on the authorities" and "Russia without Putin". REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk (RUSSIA) 

Chess grandmaster and opposition leader Garry Kasparov gestures during an opposition rally in St Petersburg June 9, 2007. Opposition protesters marched through St Petersburg on Saturday to demonstrate against President Vladimir Putin while he was hosting a huge conference for investors in his home city. Around 3,500 people marched peacefully through the historic city centre shouting "Shame on the Kremlin, shame on the authorities" and Russia without Putin". REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk (RUSSIA) 

Russian former chess champion and opposition leader Garry Kasparov answers journalists questions during a news briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg May 23, 2007. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE) 

Russian former chess champion and opposition leader Garry Kasparov attends a news briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg May 23, 2007. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE) 

Russian former chess champion and opposition leader Garry Kasparov attends a news briefing at the European Parliament in Strasbourg May 23, 2007. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler (FRANCE)