MARI YAMAGUCHI
1ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
Wednesday, December 15, 2004 · Last updated 9:07 p.m. PT
TOKYO -- Iceland has approved a residency permit for former chess champion Bobby
Fischer, who is being detained by Japanese immigration authorities, an Iceland
embassy official said Thursday.
Fischer, wanted in the United States on charges of violating international
sanctions against Yugoslavia, has been detained by Japanese authorities since
July 13.
"The residency permit for Mr. Fischer was approved," said Maki Onjo, a
commercial representative for the Iceland Embassy in Tokyo.
Fischer applied for the permit last month, and his application was approved
Wednesday, but it had not been decided when the permit would be handed over, she
said.
Fischer is accused of violating the sanctions when he played a rematch in
Yugoslavia in 1992 against longtime rival Boris Spassky. He won and took home
US$3.5 million in prize money.
He was taken into custody after being stopped at Tokyo's International airport
trying to board a flight for the Philippines with an invalid passport. He has
said U.S. officials revoked his passport without due process.
His lawyer Masako Suzuki welcomed Iceland's decision and said she planned to
meet Fischer soon to discuss whether he will go to Iceland.
"The approval came out of the blue, but it's great news," Suzuki said, adding
that a major problem is that he would have to travel without a passport.
Suzuki said she planned to obtain Fischer's consent and discuss the matter with
Japanese immigration officials for his release and move to Iceland.
But she doubted Iceland's decision would immediately win Fischer's release and
also said he may have to go from his detention cell to the airport.
The Tokyo District Court issued an injunction in September against Fischer's
deportation order while judges hear his case.
Fischer has applied for refugee status in Japan. His lawyers have requested his
release from the detention center. A decision is still pending.
Fischer has also said he wants to renounce his U.S. citizenship and threatened
to apply for German citizenship or political asylum in a third country.