JCP city assembly member in Oita fights unfair indictment

The Japanese Communist Party Oita Prefectural Committee and the Oita People's Aid and Relief Association on May 24 held a rally to protest the indictment of Oishi Tadaaki, a JCP member of the Bungotakada City Assembly.

Oishi was elected to the city assembly on April 27, but on May 3 he was arrested on charges that he visited voters' houses and handed out flyers in violation of the Public Offices Election Law. The fact was that Oishi was delivering the JCP supporters' association bulletin to association members.

Oishi, who was released on bail on May 23, promised the rally participants that he will do his utmost in defense of democracy.

Stating that Oishi did nothing illegal, lawyer Yoshida Kunio stressed the need to develop an aggressive court struggle to secure the freedom of political activities. (end)