instruction:
In this task, you are given a sentence in the Japanese language and your task is to convert it into the English language. In translation, keep numbers as it is and make it sentence case (capitalize only the first word of each sentence and noun).
question:
スティーヴンスは、すぐに彼の有罪判決を上訴して、無罪を主張し続けた。
answer:
Stevens immediately appealed his conviction and has maintained his innocence.


question:
イルハム・アリエフ大統領は、石油による富が地方でのアゼルバイジャンのための軍備拡張競争にお金を出すというアゼリーのルールを主張するために、暴力に訴えることも厭わない、と折に触れて語った。
answer:
On multiple occasions president Ilham Aliyev has stated his willingness to resort to force in order to assert Azeri rule, with oil wealth tipping any local arms race in favour of Azerbaijan.


question:
税関職員が車を取り囲んだところ、運転手は車をバックさせたため、職員のうち2人が車に発砲した。
answer:

When customs officers surrounded the vehicle, the driver went into reverse, which led to two officers opening fire on the vehicle.