The police chief of Shizuoka, Japan, Takayoshi Tsuda, visited Iwao Hakamada's home yesterday to apologize for the wrongful arrest and investigation, both to Hakamada and his sister Hideko. Tsuda stated, "We caused you indescribable anxiety and burden during the 58 years until your innocence was proven. We are truly sorry. We will strive to ensure that our investigations are more thorough and fair." Hideko responded to the police, saying, "This happened 58 years ago. We believe that everything is our fate. We will no longer file any complaints with the police." DECLARED INNOCENT IN RETRIALHakamada was arrested in 1966 for the murder of four people. After being sentenced to death, his sister Hideko applied for his retrial for many years. In 2014, the district court suspended Hakamada's death sentence and decided on a retrial, leading to Hakamada's release. Hakamada was declared innocent as a result of the retrial held on September 26.
|