Dvd of Suspect's Confession Spotlights Japanese Detentions ; Interrogations May Face Review

Summary

---

TOKYO For the first time, a DVD recording of a suspect confessing his crime to police has been admitted as evidence in a Japanese court, a move that could lead to stricter checks on the lengthy, secret police interrogations that defense lawyers say result in pressure on suspects to make false confessions.

Prosecutors and police have long resisted demands from human- rights activists and lawyers to record their questioning of suspects, who can be held without charge for 23 days in special police cells with limited access to defense lawyers.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Dvd of Suspect's Confession Spotlights Japanese Detentions ; Interrogations May Face Review

But the court case may open the way for greater oversight of the confession-based investigation culture.

Prosecutors currently record interrogatio...

See the full content of this document

---