Alleged Leader of Japan-Philippines Crime Group Denies Robbery Resulting in Death at Tokyo Trial
Watanabe Denies Key Charge at Tokyo Trial
Yuki Watanabe, the alleged leader of a Philippines-based Japanese crime group known for directing robberies in Japan, denied the charge of robbery resulting in death at the opening of his trial in Tokyo District Court. [1] At his lay judge trial, Watanabe said that he merely assisted his accomplices, claiming that his role was limited to aiding and abetting. [1] He also pleaded not guilty to some of the other charges, saying he had not conspired with the others. [1] He is the third of the four senior members of the group who were arrested and indicted to stand trial. [1] He admitted to the 12 other cases of special fraud for which he was indicted. [1]
Prosecutors' Allegations on Planning and Direction
In its opening statement on Wednesday, the prosecutors said that Watanabe had established a base for a fraud group in the Philippines, with Kojima and Fujita joining him. [1] In addition, Imamura, who led a separate fraud group, also used the facility. [1] The prosecutors stated that the four were detained by local authorities by around April 2021 and held at an immigration detention facility on the outskirts of Manila. [1] Also, Watanabe and the others needed money to escape from the detention facility or flee abroad and therefore cooperated with Imamura, who went by the alias “Luffy” and had been directing the robberies. [1] It was alleged that Watanabe was involved in planning the robbery resulting in death and sent messages to the perpetrators, such as, “Let’s target the house when only the wife is there.” [1] The defense also made its opening statement, arguing that Imamura and Fujita were the principal perpetrators and that Watanabe “did not have a say in the plans or methods.” [1]
Details of the Fatal Robbery and Broader Crime Spree
According to the indictment, Watanabe was involved as a mastermind in seven robbery cases that occurred in four of Japan’s 47 prefectures, including Tokyo, between October 2021 and January 2023. [1] In one of the seven cases, perpetrators fatally assaulted a 90-year-old woman and stole luxury items, including watches, in the city of Komae in Tokyo. [1]
Status of Co-Defendants and Group Members
Closing arguments and the verdict are scheduled for Dec. 2 and Dec. 14, respectively. [1] Among the other three, Toshiya Fujita, 42, accused of robbery resulting in death, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by Tokyo District Court and is appealing the ruling to a higher court. [1] The trial of Kiyoto Imamura, 42, has yet to begin. [1] Tomonobu Kojima, 48, who served as a recruiter for the group, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding and abetting robbery resulting in injury, and his sentence has been finalized. [1]
Separate South Korean Sentences for North Korea-Linked Gambling Sites
Three members of a criminal ring were sentenced to prison terms on Thursday for collaborating with North Korean hackers to create and distribute illegal gambling websites in South Korea. [2] The Seoul Central District Court sentenced one member of the criminal ring to four years in prison and a four-year suspension of qualifications after finding him guilty of violating the National Security Act and operating illegal gambling sites. [2] The two other ring members indicted in the same case were both sentenced to three years in prison, while one of them also received a three-year suspension of qualifications. [2] The three individuals were brought to trial as accomplices to the ringleader, surnamed Kim, who was convicted of the same offenses in September and sentenced to five years in prison and a five-year suspension of qualifications. [2] Kim was found guilty of creating 16 illegal gambling sites in collaboration with North Korean hackers between 2022 and 2024 and selling them to domestic gambling site operators. [2] Kim earned about 23.5 billion won (US$17.6 million) from the sales and transferred more than 7 billion won, or roughly 30 percent of the proceeds, to North Korean hackers. [2] The three accomplices were accused of helping Kim distribute the illegal gambling sites. [2]
US Arrest of Illegal Immigrant for Assaulting ICE Officer
An illegal immigrant with a prior criminal history was arrested Wednesday after allegedly dragging a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer with his car while fleeing an arrest attempt outside Chicago, federal officials said. [3] Jose Garnica-Naranjo, 32, a Mexican citizen, was taken into custody a day after violently resisting a targeted immigration enforcement operation, according to the Department of Homeland Security. [3] "This illegal alien used his vehicle to assault one of our ICE officers, hospitalizing the officer," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. [3] ICE officers spotted Garnica-Naranjo leaving a home in Chicago Heights on Tuesday morning. [3] Officers followed his car at a distance before attempting to initiate a traffic stop, DHS said. [3] When officers approached the vehicle, they instructed Garnica-Naranjo to turn off the engine, but he allegedly refused to comply. [3] "When officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle, Garnica accelerated and fled while an ERO Chicago officer was partially inside the vehicle through the driver-side window," DHS said in a statement. [3] Garnica-Naranjo then drove over a raised center median planted with trees, causing the officer to be thrown from the vehicle, according to authorities. [3] As Garnica-Naranjo fled, his car struck the injured officer, who was subsequently taken to a local hospital. [3] The officer suffered contusions, cuts and scrapes to his legs, though tests confirmed no broken bones. [3] ICE noted that Garnica-Naranjo's criminal record includes prior convictions for domestic violence and assault. [3]
What to watch next: Closing arguments in Watanabe’s trial are scheduled for Dec. 2 with a verdict expected on Dec. 14.
