Photo/Illutration Ryuji Kimura, center, is transported in a police car to the Wakayama District Public Prosecutors Office on April 17. (Jun Ueda)

WAKAYAMA--The suspect accused of hurling a homemade explosive device at Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during an election campaign speech at a fishing port here has been sent to prosecutors on multiple charges.

Wakayama prefectural police sent Ryuji Kimura, 24, to the Wakayama District Public Prosecutors Office on Aug. 31 on seven charges including the attempted murder of Kishida and others, as well as violations of the explosives control law.

He was arrested on the spot during a Lower House by-election campaign on April 15 on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business. The results of a test showed that the explosive device had lethal capabilities, police said.

Kimura has remained silent during police questioning.

He will be detained for a psychiatric evaluation until Sept. 1.

Based on the evaluation result, the prosecutors office will decide whether to indict him and on what charges.

At the time of the incident, Kimura had two metallic cylindrical objects. He is suspected of lobbing one toward Kishida, who was about 10 meters away.

The other device did not detonate and was found on the spot. A cylindrical object that appeared to be the one that detonated was found around 40 meters from where the first exploded.

A metal fragment believed to be a cap used in the bomb was discovered lodged in a warehouse wall about another 20 meters away. Two men in the audience sustained injuries.

The prefectural police conducted a simulated test of the explosive devices based on the scattering of metal fragments and the structure of the unexploded cylinder object, according to police.

The test results showed that both objects were pipe bombs containing gunpowder and sealed at both ends with caps. The devices were confirmed to possess the capability to inflict serious injury or even death, the sources said.

Based on the results and the circumstances, police determined that attempted murder charges could be applied for the case.

They plan to deem Kishida, the election candidate, some officials from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and part of the audience as victims.

Police also decided that the suspect could be charged with using explosive devices with the intent to harm others, along with manufacturing and possession of the devices.

Furthermore, they sent Kimura to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Law by obstructing the election campaign and illegally carrying gunpowder and a knife in a bag and a backpack.

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