Japan’s No.2 yakuza mobster to be released on $19 bailJune 12, 2012 - 20:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The number-two man in Japan's biggest yakuza group will be released on 1.5 billion yen ($19 million) bail ahead of his trial for extortion, a court decided Tuesday, June 12, according to AFP. Kiyoshi Takayama, 64, second in command of the Yamaguchi-gumi, a vast organised crime syndicate, has been in jail accused of having extorted some 40 million yen from a constructor in 2005 and 2006, a charge that he had denied in the Kyoto District Court, a court spokesman said. Takayama is in hospital due to poor health, local media reports said. Like the Italian mafia or Chinese triads, the yakuza engages in activities from gambling, drugs and prostitution to loan sharking, protection rackets, white-collar crime and business conducted through front companies. The gangs, which are not illegal, have historically been tolerated by the authorities, although there are periodic clampdowns on some of their less savoury activities. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |