New progress in the Kyoto Animation arson case: the suspect was formally charged by the Japanese prosecutors

There was more progress in the Kyoto Animation arson case today (December 16). The Kyoto District Public Prosecutors Office formally indicted the arson suspect Shinji Aoba based on the results of his mental examination.

On July 18, 2019, Kyoto Animation (KyoAni) Studio 1 in Fushimi District, Kyoto City, was set on fire, killing 36 people and injuring 32 people. The 42-year-old suspect Shinji Aoba was arrested afterwards, but because he was severely burned during the arson, he was arrested by the police on May 27 this year for murder and arson after being treated in the hospital.

After nearly half a year of investigation by the Kyoto District Public Prosecutors Office since June, and through a psychiatric evaluation conducted by experts, it was determined that the suspect Shinji Aoba had prepared weapons in advance, including gasoline and 6 kitchen knives, which was a planned crime and he was criminally responsible. Therefore, he was formally indicted on charges of murder and arson on the 16th.