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| East Asia |
| Arrest Warrant Sought for U.S. Soldier |
| 2003-06-16 |
| Japanese police requested an arrest warrant Monday for a U.S. Marine accused of raping a woman on the southern island of Okinawa, according to a news report. The alleged attack against a 19-year-old woman spurred Japan's prime minister to call Friday for stricter discipline among U.S. forces in Japan. Okinawa police moved Monday to request permission to arrest the soldier, the next step to bringing the suspect to trial. The suspect is a 21-year-old Marine lance corporal based in Okinawa. The attack allegedly occurred early May 25 in the town of Kin. On Friday, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi urged the U.S. military ``to enforce strict discipline so this kind of incident does not take place.'' Japanese media reported last week that police on Okinawa were questioning the suspect on a voluntary basis. The handling of military suspects is a sensitive issue on Okinawa. In 1995, the rape of a local schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen triggered outrage on the island. If he's guilty, jug him in the Marine brig. We don't need this right now. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #3 What happens is the U.S. officials investigate this first and if the guy is guilty they will turn him over. If he is being railroaded, he will be back in the States before the Japanese can arrest him. Notice that last time the Marines 'allowed' the three rapist to be arrested. I remember how Jackson 'RACED' (pun intended) over to Japan to defend that scum. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC California Chapter) 2003-06-16 17:15:54 |
| #2 But according to the law governing US forces in Japan, the American military is not required to hand over criminal suspects until they are formally indicted. US officials promised to consider the request by Japanese police "as soon as possible", according to statements by Japan's foreign ministry and the US military in Japan. Lance Corporal Torres is currently in US military custody. Just waiting for them to finish the paperwork and then he'll be handed over. What the "elite news media" also doesn't report is that the incidence of rape by Japanese is much higher than that of US Forces. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-06-16 16:51:20 |
| #1 The key issue here is the current Status of Forces Agreement, a treaty that establishes juristiction for GI's in foreign counties [we have them in place for most nations we have bases in]. They differ, but the crime of "rape of local girl" is almost universally given to local juristiction. For example, the locals in Germany and Korea [where I have neen assigned] have it that way. Japn probably does also. |
| Posted by: emery 2003-06-16 16:38:28 |