Livedoor Co. founder Takafumi Horie broke into tears during the closing arguments of his high-profile trial Friday, claiming prosecutors lacked impartiality and overlooked evidence in their drive to have him found guilty.
The one-time Internet business icon, arrested last January for alleged violations of securities laws, has maintained his innocence throughout his Tokyo District Court trial.
But during his final remarks before the judges, which lasted 10 minutes, Horie unexpectedly began shedding tears as he made his statement.