Russia's Kasparov: dissident Kazakh banker's life is at risk if France extradites him

Russian chess master and political activist Garry Kasparov ponders a question as he sits with Kazakh banker Mukhtar Ablyazov's daughter Madina Ablyazova during a press conference in Paris, Thursday Oct. 16, 2014. Kasparov said Mukhtar Ablyazov is in danger if a court rules he should be extradited from France. The case of Mukhtar Ablyazov has been tangled up in courts in at least five countries since he fled Kazakhstan amid the nationalization of BTA Bank, which he had led. Ablyazov is jailed in France as Russia and Ukraine seek his extradition over billions missing from the bank. He was arrested in France on an international warrant. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

Russian chess master and political activist Garry Kasparov gestures during a press conference in Paris, Thursday Oct. 16, 2014. Kasparov said Kazakh dissident banker Mukhtar Ablyazov is in danger if a court rules he should be extradited from France. The case of Mukhtar Ablyazov has been tangled up in courts in at least five countries since he fled Kazakhstan amid the nationalization of BTA Bank, which he had led. Ablyazov is jailed in France as Russia and Ukraine seek his extradition over billions missing from the bank. He was arrested in France on an international warrant. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere) (The Associated Press)

Russian chess master and political activist Garry Kasparov says a Kazakh dissident banker is in danger if a court rules he should be extradited from France.

The case of Mukhtar Ablyazov has been tangled up in courts in at least five countries since he fled Kazakhstan amid the nationalization of BTA Bank, which he had led. Ablyazov is jailed in France as Russia and Ukraine seek his extradition over billions missing from the bank. He was arrested in France on an international warrant.

Ablyazov, once a trusted member of Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbayev's inner circle, turned against his mentor and founded an opposition movement. Accountants said Ablyazov embezzled billions from BTA. But Kasparov said Thursday that Russia's case against him is political and his life is at risk if extradited.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/russias-kasparov-dissident-kazakh-bankers-life-is-at-risk-if-france-extradites-him