TEMPO.CO, Geneve - Russian chess player Garry Kasparov is scared to return to his homeland. He fears that his return would end in his arrest and trial for taking part in protests against President Vladimir Putin.

Kasparov says he is staying out of Russia, while 12 protesters are facing long prison terms over the anti-Putin demonstrations.

The former world chess champion has been actively involved in anti-Putin campaigns, taking part in a number of street protests against his rule.

Last year, he was arrested for protesting outside the court when Pussy Riot band members were on trial. He now fears that he could be investigated as part of a crackdown on the opposition if he returns home.

"I kept travelling back and forth until late February when it became clear that I might be part of this ongoing investigation of the activities of the political protesters," Kasparov said in Geneva, Wednesday, according to an audio recording posted on his website.

"Right now, I have serious doubts that if I return to Moscow I may not be able to travel back. So for the time being, I refrain from returning to Russia."

Kasparov stated his concern over the 12 Russians currently in a pre-trial hearing in Moscow. They are accused of conducting violence during a rally nearing Putin's inauguration last year. The trial is dubbed the 'Bolotnaya case', named after the Moscow square where the violence broke out on May 6, last year.

Putin signed laws which activists say restrict freedoms. Civic groups are under pressure and prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny could be sentenced with 10 years jail time in a trial he said is politically motivated. The Bolotnaya defendants could face similar fates.

Kremlin critics are likening the case to the Soviet-era show trials of dissidents.

SKY COM | NATALIA SANTI