First deportation hearing of former chess champion

(2 Nov 2004) SHOTLIST APTN Tokyo - 2 November 2004 1. Lawyers entering to the Tokyo District Court 2. Exterior shot of the court 3. Various of news conference 4. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Masako Suzuki, one of Bobby Fischer’s defence lawyers: “Mr Fischer’s case, as you can see, is very political. His arrest warrant was issued in 1992 under the sanction put down by George Bush Senior. Yet, it was left untouched during the Clinton regime. Then he (Fischer) entered into this situation when Bush Junior took over the government. So, I think that the US election result could make an impact on his case and I told that to him (Fischer).“ 5. Cutaway of photographer 6. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Masako Suzuki, one of Bobby Fischer’s defence lawyers: “He should be feeling relieved from the pressure of the immediate deportation since it was put off for the time being. But, I think he is now under another kind of pressure that he does not know when he can be released from detention.“ AP PHOTOS - No Access Canada/Internet FILE: Date and location unknown 7. Various stills of Fisher APTN Tokyo - 2 November 2004 8. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Miyoko Watai, the head of the Japan Chess Association: “He is very angry he was caught and detained at Ushiku (detention centre) because he thinks the Japanese government cannot confront the US and follows whatever the US says.“ 9. Cutaway of reporters 10. SOUNDBITE: (English) John Bosnitch, Bobby Fischer’s adviser: “He has been complaining strenuously about being located in a detention facility near Tokaimura and has asked to be moved. Nothing has come of that request.“ 11. Exterior of the court STORYLINE Lawyers for former chess champion Bobby Fischer and the government exchanged documents on Tuesday in the first court hearing on his legal battle against deportation to the United States. Fischer, who is wanted in the United States on charges of violating international sanctions against Yugoslavia, has filed a lawsuit against an order to deport him. He has been detained by Japanese authorities since July 13. The court session in Tokyo on Tuesday was brief, with attorneys exchanging documents containing their arguments and evidence. The next session was scheduled for Jan. 29. Fischer is wanted by the United States for violating international sanctions when he played a rematch in Yugoslavia in 1992 against longtime rival Boris Spassky. He won and took home 3.5 (m) million US dollars in prize money. The Tokyo District Court issued an injunction in September against Fischer’s deportation order while judges hear his lawsuit. His supporters say the case could take about a year to resolve. Fischer was taken into custody when he was stopped at Tokyo’s international airport trying to board a flight for the Philippines with an invalid passport. He has claimed, however, that U.S. officials had revoked his passport without following due process. Defence lawyer, Masako Suzuki said Fischer has appealed the Japanese government’s rejection of his refugee status in Japan. His lawyers have also requested his temporary release from the detention centre for the third time, with a decision still pending. Fischer has, through his supporters, denounced the deportation order as politically motivated. He has said he wants to renounce his U.S. citizenship and is taking steps to marry a Japanese chess official, Miyoko Watai. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: