China to Prosecute Noguchi
On the 118th day following his arrest, charges were filed against Takayuki Noguchi at the intermediate people’s court in Nanning, China on April 5.
Noguchi’s prosecution was confirmed by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Noguchi, a member of the NGO Life Funds for North Korean Refugees (LFNKR) is the first Japanese to be arrested and tried for attempting to rescue two Japan-born North Korean refugees hiding in China.
He was attempting to help the two refugees because of the likelihood that their lives would be in jeopardy if they were repatriated to North Korea.
China considers Noguchi’s efforts to save their lives a serious crime.
Now who will aid those North Korean refugees desperately crying out for help?