Defense attorneys and prosecutors exchanged documents Tuesday in the first court session on detained former chess champion Bobby Fischer's 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 in Japan since July 13.
The Tuesday court session in Tokyo was brief, with the defense and prosecution exchanging documents containing their arguments and evidence. The next session is scheduled for Jan. 29.
"Our ultimate goal is to reverse his deportation order to the U.S.," said Masako Suzuki, a lawyer for Fischer.
Fischer is wanted by the U.S. 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 million 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 Narita airport trying to board a flight for the Philippines with an invalid passport. He has claimed, however, that U.S. officials revoked his passport without following due process.
Fischer has, through his supporters, denounced the deportation order as politically motivated.