Russian opposition leader, and former chess champion, Garry Kasparov claims his country is becoming a dictatorship.

He attacked Putin’s government after being released from prison.

Kasparov was tried and jailed for five days last weekend for leading an opposition protest which had been banned. Police clashed with demonstrators outside the electoral commission building.

“I hope people in the world can see what is happening with opposition activists in Russia. The regime is paying no attention, no attention whatsoever, to legal procedures,” he said

Kasparov is back home now but he has missed the last week of campaigning.

In a television address before Kasparov’s release, President Vladimir Putin warned the nation not to let the liberals back into power in Russia.

“Everything that has been done we have acheived in a serious battle, and it can be saved only if we remain active citizens,” Putin stressed.

He insisted liberal leadership would lead to the humiliation and disintegration of the country, and he urged voters to back his United Russia Party instead this weekend.

Putin could change hats from president to prime minister if United Russia wins the election. It is predicted to, by a landslide.

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