Ikegami Tomoyuki and others

092
DATE OF CRIMES
On or about 27 June 1945
LOCATION OF CRIMES
Pangalan Piniku, British Borneo (present-day Malaysia); Lutong, Sarawak, British Borneo (present-day Malaysia)
DATE OF TRIAL
19, 20, 23, 25, 26, 28 November, and 2 December 1946
LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
CASE INFORMATION
Case Summary

5 Indian POWs from a Japanese Romutai unit at Lutong, who had allegedly switched their allegiance to the Japanese during the war, were found attempting to escape the Japanese lines during their unit's withdrawal after Allied bombardment. They were found to have secret information and equipment on them, so the Japanese executed them on charges of desertion and espionage.

Subsequently, another group of Indian POWs attempted to desert and take with them secret documents and rations. They were found out and executed on charges of espionage.

For more information, see:

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/6c4383/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/2fbd37/

http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/f5822b/

CRIME LOCATION MAP
INTERESTING FACTS

On the first day of trial, the prosecutor had to apply for an adjournment because he had a surgical and dental appointment. This was allowed.

There also arose a complex legal question of whether the Indian POW victims had voluntarily switched allegiance to the Japanese during the war and should be afforded protection as POWs under International Law or were henceforth subject to Japanese military law. 

LEGAL ACTORS
DEFENDANTS

Ikegami, Tomoyuki. Major. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence not confirmed. 

Takahashi, Yoishi. 1st Lieutenant. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence not confirmed.

Takahashi, Tatsuo. 1st Lieutenant. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence not confirmed.

Miyoshi, Ren. 2nd Lieutenant. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence not confirmed.

Hisano, Jun. 2nd Lieutenant. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. 10 years' imprisonment. Sentence not confirmed.

Takahashi, Takeshi. Corporal. 2nd Lieutenant. From Japanese army. From Japan. Guilty. 5 years' imprisonment. Sentence not confirmed.

 

JUDGES

Smith, H.E.R. Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court President. 

Hebden, E.N. Major. From British military. 

Dunsford, E.H. Captain. From British military. 

PROSECUTION

Smith, S.J. Major. From British military. Solicitor. Supreme Court of England.

DEFENCE LAWYERS

Tatsuzaki, Ei. From Japanese military. Judge-Advocate.

DEFENCE ADVISORY OFFICERS

Ward, J.H. Lieutenant. From British military.