In China, a second trial was held against a former city council member in Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial for attempting to smuggle stimulants, and the defense again claimed innocence. ..

The trial will be concluded in one day, and the decision is expected to be handed down at a later date.

Takuma Sakuragi, a 78-year-old former city council member in Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture, was accused of trying to smuggle over 3 kg of stimulants in a suitcase at an airport in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, southern China in 2013. increase.



He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a first instance three years ago, while the defendant appealed the sentence.



On the 20th, two years and seven months after the appeal, the second trial was held privately at the High Court of the People's Court of Guangdong Province.



According to a lawyer who appeared in court, former Senator Sakuragi once again pleaded not guilty at the trial, saying, "I was asked by a Nigerian acquaintance to keep my suitcase, but I was deceived because I didn't know that it contained stimulants."



On the other hand, the prosecution insisted that it upheld the decision of the first instance.



According to lawyers, the trial lasted about 10 hours and was concluded in one day on the 20th, so the decision is expected to be handed down at a later date.



According to lawyers, it will take some time before the judgment is handed down, as the judge in charge and seven members of the refereeing committee who deliberate on important cases will be involved in this judgment.