Japan extends deadline for chess legend Bobby Fischer to appeal deportation
order
NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON, Associated Press Writer
Friday, July 30, 2004
Japanese immigration officials gave chess legend Bobby Fischer a three-day
extension to appeal a deportation order to the United States, just hours before
a Friday deadline, a supporter said.
Fischer, wanted by U.S. authorities for playing a 1992 chess match in the former
Yugoslavia in violation of international sanctions, previously had until
midnight Friday to fight a decision to deport him for traveling with a revoked
passport.
That deadline was extended to Monday to give Fischer time to prepare the
necessary documents, John Bosnitch, a Tokyo-based communications consultant
advising Fisher, told The Associated Press. He said he decided to help his
"boyhood hero" after hearing about his plight
"Mr. Fischer is going to fight this unlawful detention all the way," Bosnitch
said after visiting Fischer at the detention center to review the case with him.
"If he has three days, he will use three days ... he will take full benefit of
whatever remaining rights he has."
The move was the latest attempt by Fischer to thwart attempts to deport him to
the United States.
Since his detention, Fischer -- whose father was German -- has also been
attempting to obtain a German passport or win political asylum from a third
country. He could also seek a court injunction to stop the immigration
proceedings, which he claims are illegal.
"We are still pursuing all those options," Bosnitch said. He declined to
elaborate.
Fischer, 61, was detained at Tokyo's Narita airport after trying to board a
plane for the Philippines on July 13, using a passport that had been revoked by
the United States.
As Japanese officials prepared to deport him, Fischer appealed, claiming that
the passport was revoked without due process and was therefore still valid.
That appeal was rejected Tuesday after a closed two-day hearing.
His next appeal would go to Japan's justice minister.
Fischer became a chess legend when, at the height of the Cold War, he defeated
Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union in a series of games in Reykjavik, Iceland, in
1972 to claim the world championship.
Increasingly erratic and reclusive, he largely vanished from the public eye
until reappearing to play a fateful rematch against Spassky in Yugoslavia.
Fischer won and took home more than $3 million in prize money, but he played in
violation of U.N. sanctions and has been wanted in the United States ever since.
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