After decades fighting for justice for her brother, Hideko Hakamada, 91, reflects on a new chapter following the long-awaited acquittal of Iwao Hakamada. As the globe's longest-serving death row inmate, Iwao, a former boxer, endured a nearly half-century incarceration before being set free last month. The Shizuoka District Court asserted that police and prosecutors fabricated evidence against him, leading to his wrongful conviction in 1968 for the 1966 murders of four members of a family.
Hideko dedicated her life to her brother's release, confronting legal frustrations and stigma. "I lived without shame," she declared, underscoring her resilience. She maintained financial support for Iwao's legal battles, persevering through feelings of helplessness. The recent decision to acquit him reinstates his civil rights, including voting, marking a significant societal reintegration.
Despite Iwao's deteriorating mental state, affected by decades of confinement, Hideko remains optimistic about his future. Assisted by supporters, Iwao partakes in daily activities, though he often confuses reality with imagination. As executor of her brother's rehabilitation, Hideko champions changes to Japan's judicial procedures, inspired by the overwhelming prosecutorial power highlighted in Iwao's case. Praised for her courage, Hideko emphasizes, "It is Iwao who deserves praise for surviving." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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