[Article] Ex-Chess Champion Fischer Arrested in Japan

Ex-Chess Champion Fischer Arrested in Japan, May Be Deported
July 16 (Bloomberg) -- Bobby Fischer, the former world chess champion wanted in the U.S. on charges of violating a ban on travel to Yugoslavia in 1992, is under arrest in Japan and may be deported, an immigration officer said.

Fischer is being investigated under Japanese immigration law and may be sent to the U.S. or another country, said Yoji Koga, a spokesman for the Narita International Airport immigration office. He declined to give further details, including when Fischer arrived or why he was detained.

Fischer arrived Tokyo this week after shuttling between several countries in order to avoid arrest, the Washington Post reported earlier, citing U.S. immigration officials.

The only American ever to hold the world chess title, Fischer was indicted by a grand jury in Washington in 1992 on charges of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by flying to Yugoslavia to play Boris Spassky in a chess match, the report said.

U.S. citizens were at that time forbidden to get involved in business or commercial activities with Yugoslavia, because of its actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it said.

Fischer's passport was canceled by U.S. authorities after they learned he'd acquired a 90-day visa to visit Japan, the Post said.