Keystone-SDA
This content was published on
October 19, 2024 – 05:08
(Keystone-ATS) A man was arrested on Saturday in Tokyo after throwing several Molotov cocktails at the headquarters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Japanese media announced. Early legislative elections take place in eight days.
According to public television NHK, five or six incendiary devices hit a riot police vehicle, but the fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured.
The individual, apparently aged around 40, also tried to drive his car into the grounds of the Japanese prime minister’s offices, but was blocked by a barrier, according to NHK. He then threw another projectile, probably a smoke bomb, before being arrested by the police for disturbing public order.
The incident occurred shortly before 6:00 a.m. (11:00 p.m. Friday in Switzerland). According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and other media, several plastic canisters were found in the suspect’s car.
“The perpetrator’s motivations are unknown, but freedom of expression cannot be silenced through violence and I am outraged by this act, as elections, which are the basis of democracy, arrive.” , castigated the secretary general of the PLD, according to the media.
Shortly after becoming prime minister following his victory in the LDP’s internal election in September, Shigeru Ishiba called early elections for October 27.
Violent crime is very rare in Japan. But the country remains marked by the assassination in 2022 of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, killed in the street during a campaign meeting by an individual armed with a homemade pistol.
As for Shigeru Ishiba’s predecessor, Fumio Kishida, he was targeted by a homemade bomb in April 2023, without being injured.
