Death row inmates sue over ‘cruel’ hanging

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Three death row prisoners filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government on Tuesday, arguing that execution by hanging is cruel and should be abolished, their lawyer said.

The trio at the Osaka detention center, whose identities have not been revealed, are “seeking an injunction” against death by hanging, lawyer Kyoji Mizutani told AFP.

They are also demanding compensation of 33 million yen ($238,000), he added, for the psychological distress caused since they were given the death sentence, all since 2000.