Hakamata seeks 12,500 yen per day of unfair imprisonment

Iwao Hakamata, a former boxer who was acquitted of murder positions after spending decades in the death corridor, is looking for around 217 million yen ($ 1.4 million) of the government’s unjust imprison compensation system.

If approved, it would be the largest amount paid under the program.

His defense team filed the application before the Shizuoka District Court on January 29.

The government provides compensation for emotional and physical anguish and damage to the property suffered by the detainees that were acquitted in criminal judgments or judgments.

Hakamata, 88, was sentenced to death for the murders of 1966 of four family members in Shizuoka Prefecture.

He was imprisoned for 47 years and seven months before being acquitted in a new trial in September last year.

According to the system, the courts decide the amount of compensation, ranging from 1,000 yen to 12,500 yen per day imprisoned, depending on the duration of detention and the degree of emotional anguish suffered.

The Hakamata team requested the maximum of 12,500 yen per day.

According to the team, Hakamata has difficulty communicating due to the mental disorders he developed during his decades after bars.

“The physical and mental anguish that he has supported is immeasurable, since he was exposed to the fear of the death penalty and that his mental health was affected by his imprisonment,” lawyers said in their written request to the court.

The lawyers are also preparing to file a demand for damage against the government on the investigation of Hakamata by the police and the prosecutors.