Iida Kiyoji

Case Summary

The defendant, Sergeant Iida Kiyoji, was the Chief of the General Affairs Branch of the Civil Administration of the Andaman Islands during the Japanese Occupation. Iida, who served as an interpreter for his superiors, was accused of being involved in the torture and maltreatment of civilian residents of Port Blair detained during the Second Spy Case, where forty-four civilians were executed on suspicion of espionage. Eleven other civilians were imprisoned, and as many as twelve died as a result of torture.

Such torture included, inter alia, pulverizing of civilians, water torture and subjecting civilians to cigarette burns.

For more information see:

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/7a8b5d/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/758daf/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/e819f1/

Iida had a history of psychiatric illness (manic depressive insanity), which was prevalent throughout the trial. On the second day, the defence counsel claimed that Iida was acting abnormally, and requested an adjournment for mental observation. A psychiatrist was eventually brought in to ascertain that Iida was fit to stand trial.

Iida had also appeared to be problematic throughout the trial. Iida was evasive, incoherent and hesitant in his answers, especially during his cross-examination. Iida also requested for an adjournment during the trial as he wanted to sleep, claiming that he had insufficient rest the night before.