Former chess champion appeals deportation order

TOKYO – Former world chess champion Bobby Fischer, who was taken into custody by Japanese authorities two weeks ago for traveling with a revoked U.S. passport, has appealed a deportation order to the United States, an adviser said Monday.

The American chess player, wanted by U.S. authorities for playing a 1992 match in the former Yugoslavia in violation of international sanctions, was granted a three-day extension Friday to contest Japan’s decision last week to deport him.

Fischer’s lawyer filed the appeal with immigration authorities at Narita international airport, where Fischer is being held, said John Bosnitch, a Tokyo-based communications consultant advising Fischer.

The deadline for the appeal – addressed to Japan’s justice minister – was midnight Monday, and a decision typically takes two to three weeks, Bosnitch told the Associated Press.

“If there is some move to railroad this along before that, we’ll ask a court for an injunction” to stop the immigration proceedings, Bosnitch said. Fischer maintains the proceedings are illegal.

The filing was Fischer’s latest attempt to avoid possible U.S. prosecution. In the United States he would face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, officials say.

Justice Ministry official Shoichi Okabe declined to comment on the filing, citing privacy laws.

It was the second time Fischer has appealed the deportation order; the first, made verbally at a hearing, was rejected last Tuesday.

Fischer’s chances of winning the appeal remain unclear, but the proceedings will likely stall his handover to U.S. officials. Bosnitch said Fischer’s lawyer was prepared to make two more filings as early as today – one request for refugee status, another for temporary release in Japan.

Fischer was caught at Tokyo’s Narita airport July 13 trying to board a plane for the Philippines with a passport that had been revoked by the United States.