OSAKA -- Prosecutors Thursday demanded prison terms of between 2 1/2 and three years for three former presidents of Green Cross Corp. for alleged professional negligence that resulted in the deaths of patients who were administered HIV-tainted blood products produced by the company.
At the Osaka District Court, prosecutors demanded three years in prison for Renzo Matsushita, 78, and 2 1/2 years each for Tadakazu Suyama, 71, and Takehiko Kawano, 69. The three stand accused of placing more importance on the company's interests over the lives and health of their patients. Green Cross has since been merged with Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Defense lawyers are scheduled to make their final arguments Nov. 11, and a ruling is expected to be handed down as early as next spring.