Japan rules ex-chess champ no refugee, orders him outBobby Fischer files appeal to delay deportationAssociated PressAug. 25, 2004, 12:38AM
TOKYO - Japan ordered Bobby Fischer deported Tuesday, but the former chess champion immediately appealed the case in court, meaning he won't be sent out of the country right away. The government also ruled that Fischer did not qualify as a political refugee. Fischer has been in custody since he was detained by Japanese airport authorities July 13 with an invalid U.S. passport. The former chess great is wanted in the United States for violating international sanctions against Yugoslavia in 1992. He contends the charges against him are politically motivated. Fischer was informed of Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa's decision to expel him and reject his asylum application by immigration authorities at the detention center north of Tokyo where he is being held. The Justice Ministry did not say when Fischer would be deported, but ministry official Hideharu Maruyama said he would most likely be sent to the United States. Fischer said he deserved refugee status because the United States was persecuting him. |
