Sakano Ginzo
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DATE OF CRIMES
1 May 1944 - 1 January 1945
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LOCATION OF CRIMES
Chungkai POW Camp, Siam (present-day Thailand)
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DATE OF TRIAL
25 and 27 September 1946
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LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
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Case Summary
The accused, a member of staff of Chungkai POW Camp, was involved in ill-treating British POWs working on the Burma-Siam railway. In particular, he admitted to taking part in the beating of two POWs who had to be hospitalised for some time as a result, and to beating eight POWs with a belt. In general, the accused was found to have engaged in brutal treatment of POWs interned in the camp, including through the under-issuing of rations to the already semi-starved POWs.
For more information see:
http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/315d1e/
The accused was nicknamed the "White Slug" and "Fish face" because 'sakana' means fish in Japanese. The accused's supervisor, a witness for the defence who had himself been sentenced to death by hanging, had his hanging postponed so he could testify at this trial.
See: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19460928-1.2.57.aspx
DEFENDANTS
Sakano, Ginzo. Sergeant. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. 5 years' imprisonment. Sentence confirmed.
JUDGES
Le Gallais, R.L. Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court president. Barrister-at-law.
Hebden, E.N. Major. From British military.
Sinclair, D.F.H. Major. From British military.
PROSECUTION
Smith, S.J. Major. From British military.
DEFENCE LAWYERS
Hitoshi, Ito. Prosecutor in Keiju District Court.
DEFENCE ADVISORY OFFICERS
Everard, E.T. Captain. From British military.