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4 Marines Face Court-Martial in Hiroshima Rape Case

Gang-rape trial to begin in spring

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 6, 2008 6:10 AM CST
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(Newser) – The American military has announced it will court-martial four Marines on charges of gang-raping a Japanese woman in Hiroshima last year. The first two Marines will face a general court-martial in late April or early May. Japanese prosecutors had concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to charge them in a civilian proceeding.

The announcement comes amid outrage in Japan over a separate alleged rape of a schoolgirl by a Marine on Okinawa last month. About 50,000 American troops are stationed in Japan, and recent allegations of rape and sexual assault have stoked public protest against the presence of the US military. Last month Condoleezza Rice traveled to Tokyo, where she expressed her "deep regret" for the alleged crimes.

Four Marines stationed in Hiroshima have been court-martialed for allegedly gang-raping a Japanese woman.
Four Marines stationed in Hiroshima have been court-martialed for allegedly gang-raping a Japanese woman.   ((c) Abulic Monkey)
Japanese protesters shout slogans in front of a US camp on Okinawa after an American Marine was arrested on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl.
Japanese protesters shout slogans in front of a US camp on Okinawa after an American Marine was arrested on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old girl.   (Associated Press)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, right, accompanied by Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, the commander of U.S. Forces in Japan, center, greets Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, left, at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Schieffer told Okinawans on Wednesday that he took seriously the...
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, right, accompanied by Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, the commander of U.S. Forces in Japan, center, greets Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, left, at the Foreign...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, right, talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, left, at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Schieffer told Okinawans on Wednesday that he took seriously the arrest of an American Marine on suspicion of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl, seeking to...
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, right, talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, left, at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Schieffer told Okinawans on Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
Okinawa City Mayor Mitsuko Tomon, in a car, arrives at United States Marine Corps camp in Okinawa Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda called for measures Tuesday to prevent a recurrence of crimes by American soldiers in Japan after a U.S. Marine was arrested on suspicion...
Okinawa City Mayor Mitsuko Tomon, in a car, arrives at United States Marine Corps camp in Okinawa Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda called for measures Tuesday to prevent a recurrence...   (Associated Press)
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Military relaxes restrictions on troops in Okinawa
Bloomberg

 
Japan • Condoleezza Rice • US military • Hiroshima • Okinawa • court martial • Marine

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