BY FISCHER WATCH
August 24, 2004

Japanese Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa simultaneously issued two decisions today, in both cases deciding against requests filed by Bobby Fischer.

The ministry rejected Bobby Fischer's demand for protection as a political refugee, saying that the charges outstanding against him in the United States are not political in nature.

He has seven days to appeal, but as it appears that the ministry is trying to deny him due process by immediately deporting him, Bobby has already tonight submitted the appeal papers to try to block any physical effort to deport him.

Justice Minister Nozawa also formally rejected Bobby Fischer's appeal of the deportation order issued against him by the Immigration Bureau. The minister said that Bobby Fischer's grounds for appealing the deportation were insufficient and that the deportation should take place.

Bobby Fischer's lawyers have succeeded in contacting Immigration officials to officially notify them of the filing of legal action to block any deportation and to inform them that any action against Bobby at this time would be a violation of the laws protecting his right to due process.