The first trial of a former Hiroshima City Assembly member accused of receiving cash from former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai in a large-scale bribery case surrounding the House of Councillors election four years ago was held, and that he was inappropriately interrogated by prosecutors of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Special Investigation Division at the investigation stage.
The lawyer for the former city council called for the trial to be discontinued, arguing that "prosecutions based on statements that are not voluntarily or credible are invalid."
Former Hiroshima City Assembly member Tsuneyasu Kido received a summary order from former Minister of Justice Katsuyuki Kawai for violating the Public Offices Election Act for accepting 30,21 yen in cash, but he appealed the request for a formal trial.
The former city councilor had recorded part of a voluntary interrogation by a prosecutor of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Special Investigation Division, and his lawyer had met with him on the 27st of this month, claiming that the interrogation was inappropriate.
At the first trial held at the Hiroshima District Court on May <>, the former city councilor pleaded not guilty, saying, "I did not recognize that what was given was cash or that it was the purpose of the acquisition fee."
The lawyer of the former city council member asked for the dismissal of the trial and dismissal of the prosecution, saying, "The prosecution is invalid based on the affidavit of the former city councilor, which is not arbitrary or credible, prepared based on a promise not to prosecute."
On the other hand, the prosecution claimed in his opening statement that he received cash in an envelope knowing that it was intended as a reward for campaigning.
The next trial is scheduled to be held at the end of next month and the former city council member will be questioned by the accused.
Regarding the interrogation of the former city councilor, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office will investigate whether there were any problems.
Former city councilor's lawyer: "Suggestion of non-prosecution, inducing testimony is illegal"
At a press conference after the first trial, Tsuyoshi Tagami, a lawyer representing the former city councilor, reiterated that "the prosecutor said in a voluntary investigation by the former city councilor, 'Please think carefully about whether to go to the prosecution or Kawai before talking.'