rki.news | Source: Xinhua
Japanese prosecutors on Tuesday sought an 18-month prison sentence for a former Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) officer accused of entering the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo while carrying a knife.
The Tokyo District Court heard the case against Kodai Murata, who allegedly entered the embassy compound on March 24 after climbing a barbed-wire fence. He was accused of threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.
According to Kyodo News, Murata’s defence team requested a fine instead of imprisonment. The court is scheduled to announce its verdict on December 24.
Murata, who was serving as a second lieutenant at the time of the incident, was dismissed from the GSDF in August. Prosecutors indicted him in July on charges including unlawful entry and threatening embassy staff.
During the first hearing on October 1, Murata admitted to trespassing and violating Japan’s firearms and swords control law. However, his defence team denied the threat-related charge.
Following the incident, the Chinese Embassy lodged a strong protest with Japan, calling for an investigation and appropriate action against the accused.
Japanese Prosecutors Seek Prison Term Over Chinese Embassy Intrusion
