Iceland OKs residency for Fischer

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 $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.

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