Hasegawa Hidefumi
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DATE OF CRIMES
On or about 23 February 1942
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LOCATION OF CRIMES
Tandjong Pinang, Netherland East Indies (but incorrectly recorded as Malaya); (present-day Bintan Island, Indonesia)
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DATE OF TRIAL
31 July and 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 amd 11 August 1947
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LOCATION OF TRIAL
Changi Prison, Singapore
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Case Summary
Captain Hasegawa Hidefumi was the officer-in-charge of a detachment of Kempeitai on Tandjong Pinang, Netherlands East Indies. There were on the island a certain number of Indian and British POWs.
Hasegawa was charged with the killing of an unidentified British POW. This unidentified British POW was said to be a gunner on Pulau Blakang Mati (present-day Sentosa Island, Singapore) who escaped by boat following the capitulation of Singapore.
It was alleged that after interrogating the said British POW Hasegawa took him to the beach and shot him dead with a revolver leaving the body there. At trial, the evidence appeared to suggest that it was more likely that one of Hasegawa's subordinate, a Sergeant Wada (since deceased), had executed the said British POW.
Unlike other war crime cases which often involves a large number of victims, this case concerned only with the murder of a single British POW, and an unidentified one at that. Both prosecution and defence counsel appeared to be inexperienced.
DEFENDANTS
Hasegawa, Hidefumi. Captain. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging with a recommendation to mercy. Not confirmed (finding and sentence).
JUDGES
Forsythe, P.A. (Military Medal.) Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court President.
Hebden, E.N. Major. From British military.
Dennis, A.E. (Military Medal.) From British military.
PROSECUTION
Wait, R.T. Major. From British military.
DEFENCE LAWYERS
Matsuoka, Yoshihiro. Civilian. Barrister. Supreme Court, Tokyo.
DEFENCE ADVISORY OFFICERS
Borovsky, A.V. Captain. From British Indian Army.