Society

Okinawa police refer 2 US soldiers to prosecutors for alleged sexual assaults

NAHA, Apr 24 (NHK) - Police in Okinawa, southwestern Japan, say they have referred two US Marines to prosecutors on suspicion of committing separate sexual assaults against women.

Police say one of them allegedly sexually assaulted a woman and injured another on Okinawa's main island in March.

Sources familiar with the case say the incident took place in a restroom in a US military base. The sources also say the suspect used violence against a woman who tried to protect the sexually assaulted woman.

Police say another Marine is suspected of sexually assaulting a female acquaintance in January.

Police say they investigated the cases after receiving complaints from the women and sent papers on the cases to prosecutors on April 7. They say the soldiers are in their 20s.

Police have not disclosed whether the suspects admitted to the charges, saying such a disclosure would hinder investigations. ...continue reading

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