TOKYO, March 22 (UPI) -- Chess champion Bobby Fischer, who became a citizen of Iceland Tuesday, says he plans to sue the U.S. government for $200 million dollars.
Fischer, who has been held in a Japanese jail for months in a dispute over his passport and alleged violations of U.S. law, says Washington owes him the money for illegal imprisonment and emotional distress, the Mainichi Times said Tuesday.
Tokyo issued a deportation order against Fischer last August to send him to the United States, where he is wanted for playing chess in Yugoslavia in 1992 in violation of an executive order. In addition, U.S. tax authorities plan to convene a grand jury early next month that will investigate claims of tax evasion against the chess genius.
A Japanese lawyer for Fischer says he must complete a number of minor preparations to formalize the citizenship that Iceland's legislature has granted him. Also, Iceland's president must sign the special bill for it to become effective.
