Japan executed a man nicknamed “Twitter killer” on Friday (27), convicted of murdering and quartering nine people, most of them, after contacting them on social networks, according to the country’s Minister of Justice.
Execution is the first application of the death penalty in the country in almost three years. Takahiro Shiraishi, 34, after being guilty of the murder of nine people in a mass murder case of great repercussion that moved the country.
He was considered guilty in December 2020 for murdering, raping and quartering the nine victims, and for storing his bodies in his apartment in Zama, in Kanagawa province, on the outskirts of Tokyo.
Shiraishi was arrested in October 2017 after police searched his home to investigate the disappearance of a 23 -year -old woman who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social networks, including Twitter.
Three thermal boxes and five containers were found in Shiraishi’s room, containing heads and human bones with shaved meat, according to Asahi TV, citing police sources.
The nine victims – eight women and one man – were between 15 and 26 years old, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK and TV Asahi, affiliated with CNNwhich cited legal proceedings.
The victims had posted online who wanted to kill themselves and were later contacted by Shiraishi on social networks, reported NHK and TV Asahi.
“This case, motivated by selfish reasons such as sexual and financial gratification, has resulted in the deaths of nine people over two months-a deeply serious incident that has caused shock and anxiety throughout society. I understand that it is an especially painful case for victims and their families,” Keisuke Suzuki, reporters on Friday, told a press conference.
Shiraishi’s execution is the first one the country has seen since July 2022, NHK said. In Japan, the death penalty is applied by hanging, and the dates of executions are only disclosed after execution.
“The death sentence was finalized after a thorough judicial process. After careful and deliberate consideration of all factors, I issued the order of execution,” said Suzuki.
