Wrongly imprisoned Japanese man awarded more money

Read storyA Japanese man who was wrongfully imprisoned for more than eight years in The Bahamas will be given more than the $400,000 originally offered by the government.

The Privy Council has ruled that Atain Takitota deserves more compensation for the loss he suffered, which is called "appalling" and "less than humane".

Atain Takitota said he came to The Bahamas legally but lost his passport. He was arrested in August of 1992 on vagrancy charges but never charged in a court of law. He was released in October of 2000.

He attempted suicide three times during his imprisonment.

The Privy Council has left it up to the local courts to determine the amount but said the damages should "amount to an overall sum representing appropriate compensation for the period of over eight years' detention, taking account of the inhumane conditions and the misery and distress".

It also said an interim payment while the final decision is made would be "very desirable".

Full Story in The Nassau Guardian here

Full Story in The Tribune here