Former Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his lawmaker wife Anri were indicted on Wednesday on suspicion of vote-buying, following the couple’s arrest last month, Tokyo prosecutors said.

Their arrest and indictment are a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the premier struggles with falling public support. Katsuyuki Kawai had close ties to Abe and previously served as his foreign policy adviser.

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Tokyo prosecutors said in a statement the couple had paid 1.7 million yen (£12,609.97) to five people last year to help Anri get an upper house seat, while separately Katsuyuki had paid a total 27.31 million yen (£202,575.46) to 103 people to help her get elected.

At the time of their arrests, Katsuyuki Kawai denied any wrongdoing while Anri Kawai declined comment on the advice of her lawyer.

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