Guilty Plea in Abe Assassination: Trial Unveils Deep Ties to Unification Church
Tetsuya Yamagami admitted to assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, blaming a grudge against the Unification Church for his actions. The trial, anticipated nationwide, began with claims of financial ruin due to the Church and has highlighted complex political and religious associations.
- Country:
- Japan
Tetsuya Yamagami, the man charged with the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pleaded guilty as his much-anticipated trial commenced. Abe, recognized as Japan's longest-serving postwar leader, was killed using a homemade firearm while delivering a campaign speech in Nara in 2022, according to Kyodo News.
The Nara District Court is set to conduct multiple hearings through December, with a verdict slated for January 21. Yamagami confessed to harboring a grudge against the Unification Church, attributing his family's financial downfall to the organization after his mother donated about 100 million yen. His grievances allegedly stem from Abe's grandfather's role in introducing the Church to Japan.
The trial has garnered massive attention with hundreds gathering outside the courthouse for the limited public seats. Legal documents describe Yamagami’s premeditated actions, including testing his homemade weapons. Besides murder, Yamagami faces charges related to property damage and firearms regulations. The case has reignited discussions on the affiliations between the Unification Church and political figures in Japan.
Google News