Israel deports American despite his racism denial

BEN-GURION AIRPORT, Israel (Reuters) - Israel extradited a suspect to the United States on firearms charges on Sunday, despite his denial he belonged to the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan.

"No. I'm not. I'm not affiliated with any group whatsoever," a handcuffed Micky Mayon, who was arrested in Tel Aviv last week, told reporters when asked if he was a member of the Klan.

Mayon, a U.S. citizen, was speaking as police escorted him for extradition from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport. An interior ministry spokeswoman later confirmed he had been deported.

"You know what they accuse me of. But it's not what I did. Absolutely not true," Mayon said, when reporters pressed him on whether he hated Jews and people of African origin.

He said he had enjoyed his stay in Israel --- especially "the Israeli girls" --- and wanted to "come back."

Mayon fled the United States after he was suspected of burning the car of a judge who had ordered he stand trial on the firearms charges.

The Israeli Interior Ministry said on Monday law enforcement units were told by Interpol that Mayon belonged to the Ku Klux Klan, described by the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League as a racist, anti-Semitic movement.

Mayon was being sought by U.S. marshals on two arrest warrants. Charges included illegal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment and flight to avoid apprehension.

The ministry said Mayon arrived in Israel as a tourist in January 2008. He was issued a one-month visa and stayed on illegally.

(Reporting by Rami Amichai; Writing by Joseph Nasr in Jerusalem, Editing by Mark Trevelyan)