Kasparov delayed on entering Russia

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MOSCOW, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Chess superstar Garry Kasparov believes he was delayed at a Moscow airport because the Federal Security Service has put him on a political blacklist.

The former world chess champion turned opposition politician said the holdup Sunday evening at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport may have been the result of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Moscow Times reported Tuesday.

Kasparov was returning from Split, Croatia, with 10 other people, including his family, when he was held up at passport control, he said Monday by telephone.

For about 25 minutes border guards consulted one another, made telephone calls and handed his passport around "like a hot potato" before stamping it and allowing him to enter the country, he said.

A member of Kasparov's group overheard a border guard saying, "How can I stop a Russian citizen from entering Russia?" Kasparov said.

Kasparov said he believes he may be on an FSB blacklist because of his political activities. "It's very clear that they are overreacting to any political activity that is not in line with Putin's policies," he said.

The FSB Monday attributed the incident to "a failure in the technical control system," Interfax reported.