Australia grants visa to Mike Tyson

PanARMENIAN.Net - Australia has granted Mike Tyson a visa one week after he was barred from entering New Zealand due to his 1992 rape conviction, The Associated Press reported.

A spokeswoman from Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship said Wednesday, Oct 10, it had granted the former heavyweight boxing champion an entertainment visa to cover the duration of his five-city Australian tour starting next month. She said officials carefully weighed the pros and cons of his visit and of his character given his criminal past.

The spokeswoman spoke on condition of anonymity because of office policy.

Tyson was to visit both countries on a "Day of the Champions" tour. New Zealand immigration authorities initially granted him a visa before a charity withdrew its support and officials reversed their decision.

Tyson served three years in prison for rape.