Tokyo prosecutors have indicted a former Japanese lawmaker and YouTube creator for allegedly intimidating celebrities in videos posted online.

GaaSyy, whose real name is Higashitani Yoshikazu, was expelled from the Upper House after staying overseas and failing to attend Diet sessions.

The 51-year-old is charged with repeatedly threatening an actor, a businessperson and a designer in videos between February and August last year. He is also charged with forcing one of them out of business.

In March, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for GaaSyy who was staying in the United Arab Emirates.

The Tokyo police then asked the International Criminal Police Organization to put him on its wanted list.

GaaSyy was arrested in May when he returned to Japan after being taken into custody by UAE authorities.

The Tokyo police found GaaSyy had earned more than 100-million yen, or about 700,000 dollars at the current rate, from video-sharing sites.

It is believed that one of his motives was the chance to earn huge profits by exposing the personal stories of celebrities online.

GaaSyy reportedly admitted to investigators that he posted the clips, but said he didn't think what he said in the videos was unlawful. Tokyo prosecutors have not revealed whether the suspect has admitted to the charges.