TOKYO, Japan (EFE).— A court yesterday acquitted Iwao Hakamada, who spent 47 years in prison and is considered the prisoner who has spent the longest time on death row in the world, according to the ruling of the new trial by murder to which he was subjected after the annulment of the first.
Hakamada, 88, was sentenced to capital punishment in 1968 for the murder of a family and remained in prison until 2014, when the court annulled the sentence due to doubts about the veracity of the evidence and ordered a new trial, something very unusual. common in the Asian country.
The new sentence, announced by Judge Koshi Kunii of the Shizuoka Court (southwest of Tokyo), recognizes that there was “falsification of evidence” for which Hakamada was incriminated by the prosecution and the authorities in charge of the investigation.
The sentence, reported by the state broadcaster NHK, alludes to several irregularities in the investigations, including the violation of Hakamada’s right to remain silent and “inhumane” practices during interrogation.
Hakamada admitted having committed the crime on the nineteenth day of a cycle of interrogations that lasted an average of 12 hours a day, although he subsequently tirelessly denied the facts from the first session of the trial against him.
Now, the Japanese justice system dictates that the confession obtained by the investigating authorities was “provoked” through “mental and physical suffering.”
At a glance
Accusation
Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer born in Shizuoka in 1936, was sentenced to death in 1968 for murdering the owner of the factory where he worked, his wife and the couple’s two children two years earlier, and then burning his house. home. The new verdict can be appealed within two weeks of being announced.
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The Unprecedented Acquittal of Iwao Hakamada: A Victory for Justice and a Testament to Human Endurance
In a groundbreaking turn of events, Iwao Hakamada, the Japanese former boxer and death row inmate, has been acquitted after an extraordinary 47 years of imprisonment [[1]]. This verdict marks a significant victory for justice and serves as a testament to the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.
Hakamada, now 88 years old, was initially released in 2014 pending a retrial, but rarely spoke publicly about his ordeal [[1]]. Despite the acquittal, Hakamada’s release was not without its challenges. However, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate has finally been exonerated.
The acquittal, delivered on September 26, 2024, has brought an end to decades of uncertainty and injustice [[3]]. Hakamada’s acquittal was formalized after Japanese prosecutors announced that they would not appeal the decision, which had been due by October 10, 2024 [[2]].
This development is not only a personal triumph for Hakamada but also a beacon of hope for those wrongfully convicted and those advocating for justice reform. The extraordinary length of Hakamada’s incarceration on death row serves as a stark reminder of the flaws that can exist within the justice system.
As the world watches the aftermath of Hakamada’s acquittal, we must recognize the inherent value of human life and the importance of upholding justice and human rights. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion, empathy, and a commitment to the truth.
In the words of Iwao Hakamada himself, the acquittal represents a ’victory’ [[1]]. This ‘victory’ is not only a testament to Hakamada’s own resilience but also a tribute to the unwavering support of those who have advocated for his freedom over the years.
As we reflect on this remarkable story, we must acknowledge the power of the human spirit to persevere in the face of adversity. Hakamada’s acquittal serves as a powerful reminder that justice can be achieved, even in the darkest of times, and that the pursuit of truth and righteousness can ultimately lead to redemption and vindication.
