I've been saying the same thing!

Had these devs understood what it meant to be a true Samurai, not LARPing as warriors for freedom, they would NEVER "plea" for mercy. Rather than xompromise their honor by pleading to a victimless crime they didn't even commit they would've fell own their own sword. Death before dishonor is part of the Way of the Samurai.

Family or not, they should've recognized that death was a possible, even likely, outcome for having built tools that undermine the Nanny State's power. A real Samurai, not a LARP, would commit seppuku before pleading before the crown!