The government has defended a judge's refusal to grant bail in the wrongful-prosecution case involving Ōkawara Kakoen, telling a court that the judge had no illegal or improper purpose, NHK reported.
The suit was brought by the family of a former adviser to the company, who died of cancer after bail was refused. The family is seeking damages from the state.
The court hearing the claim heard the government's argument on the bail decision. The report of the proceedings did not give the date of the hearing, the court, or the amount sought.
The claim
At issue is whether a judge can be held liable for a bail ruling that kept a defendant detained until his death. The government's position is that the judge's decision did not meet the threshold for wrongdoing.
The source does not say which court is hearing the case or what the family's lawyers argued in response.