Shaima Khalil

But the problem has been that there are different areas controlled by different groups in this country. and that the access to aid has been very difficult. So in addition to these strikes that are happening now by Israeli forces, Yemen itself has been reeling from years and years of conflict and a very difficult humanitarian situation.

For nearly 60 years, Iwao Hakamada had been fighting for his innocence. And when it was finally declared in court, he wasn't there for the moment. Waiting for execution in solitary confinement for nearly half a century took a heavy toll on Iwao's mental health. He'd been exempt from attending court hearings for years.

For nearly 60 years, Iwao Hakamada had been fighting for his innocence. And when it was finally declared in court, he wasn't there for the moment. Waiting for execution in solitary confinement for nearly half a century took a heavy toll on Iwao's mental health. He'd been exempt from attending court hearings for years.

His sister and longtime advocate, 91-year-old Hideko Hakamada, had been in court on his behalf. When her brother was acquitted in September, she was visibly emotional as she thanked his supporters outside the court. Hideko has been taking care of her younger brother, now 88, since he was released pending a retrial in 2014.

His sister and longtime advocate, 91-year-old Hideko Hakamada, had been in court on his behalf. When her brother was acquitted in September, she was visibly emotional as she thanked his supporters outside the court. Hideko has been taking care of her younger brother, now 88, since he was released pending a retrial in 2014.

We sat down in her home west of Tokyo, and she told me what it was like for her when Iwao was finally declared innocent.

We sat down in her home west of Tokyo, and she told me what it was like for her when Iwao was finally declared innocent.

And what was the moment like when you told your brother that he was acquitted? How did he react?

And what was the moment like when you told your brother that he was acquitted? How did he react?

In 1968, Iwao Hakamada was found guilty of killing his boss at a soybean factory, as well as the man's wife and their two teenage children. The bodies were recovered from a fire. All four had been stabbed to death. Iwao initially denied the allegations, but later gave what he came to describe as a coerced confession, following beatings and interrogations that lasted up to 12 hours a day.

In 1968, Iwao Hakamada was found guilty of killing his boss at a soybean factory, as well as the man's wife and their two teenage children. The bodies were recovered from a fire. All four had been stabbed to death. Iwao initially denied the allegations, but later gave what he came to describe as a coerced confession, following beatings and interrogations that lasted up to 12 hours a day.

Two years after his arrest, he was convicted of murder and arson and sentenced to death.

Two years after his arrest, he was convicted of murder and arson and sentenced to death.

In 2014, Iwawa was released from prison and granted a retrial. It took nearly 10 years for the retrial to begin because of lengthy legal proceedings. Then, in September, Yuwao Hakamada was declared innocent. His supporters cheered outside the court when the verdict was announced.

In 2014, Iwawa was released from prison and granted a retrial. It took nearly 10 years for the retrial to begin because of lengthy legal proceedings. Then, in September, Yuwao Hakamada was declared innocent. His supporters cheered outside the court when the verdict was announced.

In his ruling, the Shizuoka District Court presiding judge said the evidence used to incriminate Mr. Hakamada was fabricated and that the investigators added bloodstains to the clothing items and hid them in the soybean tank well after the incident took place.

In his ruling, the Shizuoka District Court presiding judge said the evidence used to incriminate Mr. Hakamada was fabricated and that the investigators added bloodstains to the clothing items and hid them in the soybean tank well after the incident took place.

A few weeks after Iwao's acquittal, the local police authorities officially apologized to him for the time he spent on death row for a crime he didn't commit. At Hakamada's home, the chief of the Shizuoka police bowed in front of Iwao. We caused you indescribable anxiety and burden. We are truly sorry. Iwao, Hideko, this is you.

A few weeks after Iwao's acquittal, the local police authorities officially apologized to him for the time he spent on death row for a crime he didn't commit. At Hakamada's home, the chief of the Shizuoka police bowed in front of Iwao. We caused you indescribable anxiety and burden. We are truly sorry. Iwao, Hideko, this is you.

As we stand at her dining table, Hideko smiles, showing me photographs of Iwao as a young man and a former professional boxer. The two are the youngest of six siblings. Ever since they were children, Hideko had always taken care of her little brother. And so it continues.