TOKYO, May 17 (News On Japan) –
Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested three leaders of the political group ‘Tsubasa Party’ on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act by disrupting the speeches of different candidates throughout a House of Representatives by-election in Tokyo’s fifteenth district. Investigators view this as a “challenge to democracy” and plan to pursue an intensive investigation.
Reporter: “It’s 10:45 a.m. The car carrying suspect Kurokawa is entering the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters.”
The man being taken in with a peace signal, swaying back and forth with a smile, is Atsuhiko Kurokawa, 45, the chief of the Tsubasa Party, arrested on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act.
Additionally, the police arrested Secretary-General Ryosuke Nemoto, 29, and senior member Hayato Sugita, 39.
The prices contain “obstruction of freedom” through the by-election for Tokyo’s fifteenth district held final month.
Kurokawa was seen repeatedly obstructing the marketing campaign automotive and viewers of impartial candidate Hirotada Ototake. Climbing onto a cellphone sales space, he shouted, “Ototake!” Nemoto, additionally a candidate, used a loudspeaker from atop the cellphone sales space to disrupt the speech.
These actions have been deemed to violate the Public Offices Election Act’s “obstruction of freedom” provision.
Reporter: “Tokyo Metropolitan Police investigators are entering the Tsubasa Party office for a search.”
The Second Investigation Division, liable for probing election violations, has carried out an “unprecedented” investigation.
On May 13, the police raided places associated to the Tsubasa Party and seized marketing campaign autos and different objects utilized in election actions. That day, Kurokawa acknowledged:
Tsubasa Party Leader Atsuhiko Kurokawa: “This was an act based on freedom of speech. While I recognize it was somewhat rough, it is absolutely unacceptable for those in power to stop acts of speech.”
Kurokawa denied any wrongdoing, citing “freedom of speech.”
However, a senior investigator from the police division commented: “The actions of the Tsubasa Party go beyond the freedom of election and are seen as a challenge to democracy. The intimidation was severe, and voluntary investigations have their limits.”
Candidate Ototake, who had his speech disrupted, commented, “I earnestly hope that such malicious actions, which deprive voters of their right to listen, will not be repeated.”
Witness: “That car over there, stop! Constitutional Democratic Party! Stop the car of the Constitutional Democratic Party! I’m reporting to the police!”
The Tsubasa Party has additionally obtained quite a few complaints from different political camps. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s Second Investigation Division has established a “special investigation headquarters” to totally uncover the main points of this unprecedented election regulation violation case.
Source: TBS