Russian chess grandmaster and opposition activist Garry Kasparov can follow Pussy Riot to prison over a clash with police near the Khamovnichesky court on Friday.

      Kasparov has said police arrested him for no reason as he was giving an interview. He accused police officers of beating him and twisting his arms on the way to the police van. Kasparov already promised to sue police over the incident.

      Police said Kasparov bit on the finger one of several officers dragging him away from a Moscow court where three Pussy Riot members were convicted on Friday over an anti-Kremlin “punk prayer” at the Orthodox Christian cathedral.

      Kasparov denied biting anyone. The accusation can land him in jail for five years on charges of attacking a police officer on duty.

      At least 50 people were detained on Friday by the Khamovnichesky district court, where Pussy Riot members were given jail terms of two years for hooliganism and inciting religious hatred.