The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by an Iranian man seeking some 93 million yen in compensation from the central government in connection with the death of his son, who was allegedly assaulted by immigration employees in a scuffle while in detention in 1997.
Mir Hossein Mousavi Abarbekouh died on Aug. 9, 1997, from dislocation of his cervical vertebrae brought about by a blow to the head.
"The injuries were due to (Mousavi Abarbekouh's) own acts, not due to (alleged) violent actions by the immigration employees," presiding Judge Fumio Shimoda ruled.
A scuffle broke out between Mousavi Abarbekouh and officers of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau detention house in Kita Ward on Aug. 8, 1997, after the officers reproached him over a cigarette lighter found in his cell.
Eight immigration officers subdued Mousavi Abarbekouh, wrapped him up in a blanket and took him to another cell.
After the officers made Mousavi Abarbekouh sit on the floor, he toppled on his back and cracked his head on the floor, authorities claimed. He fell unconscious and died the following day.
He had been detained at the detention house since July 28, 1997, after the Tokyo District Court on the same day gave him an 18-month suspended sentence for theft and other offenses in May 1997.
Mousavi Abarbekouh came to Japan in 1991.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office in March 1998 decided not to prosecute the eight immigration officers.