Garry Kasparov freed from prison

Clashes erupted when activists tried to break through police lines

Former world chess champion and Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov has been released after five days in jail.

He and other opposition figures were detained for taking part in an unauthorised protest by Mr Kasparov's Other Russia coalition at the weekend.

After his release, he said Russia was in danger of becoming a dictatorship under President Vladimir Putin.

He accused Mr Putin of using fear to make sure the pro-Putin United Russia wins Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Broad coalition

"This regime is entering a very dangerous phase that is turning it into a dictatorship," Mr Kasparov told reporters as he returned to his Moscow apartment.

"Fear is the only chance this regime has to survive," he said.

Other Russia brings together a broad coalition of mainstream politicians, leftists and nationalists, all of whom are opposed to the Kremlin.

They have been barred from fielding candidates in the 2 December elections to the lower house because they did not meet the electoral commission's strict requirements.

Mr Putin stands down when Russia elects a new president in March 2008, as the constitution bars him from seeking a third consecutive term.

He has decided to stand as a parliamentary candidate - which effectively guarantees him a seat in the next parliament.