Kyoto Animation Arson Attack Perpetrator Withdraws Appeal

The perpetrator of the Kyoto Animation arson attack has withdrawn the appeal for his verdict on the first trial. The defendant and perpetrator Shinji Aoba was charged with murder and arson, and was sentenced to death for the attack. [Thanks, NHK!]

As a reminder, the arson attack took place on July 18, 2019. Aoba set fire to the building that housed the Kyoto Animation Studio 1, located in the Fushimi Ward of Kyoto, killing 36 people and leaving 32 people severely injured, including the perpetrator.

The Osaka High Court announced that Aoba withdrew the appeal on January 27, 2025, with the news being made public on January 28. This means that the original death sentence to the defendant has been made final.

The defendant originally pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial, which was held on September 5, 2023. On December 2023, the prosecutors behind the case informed that they would be seeking the death penalty for the attack. The verdict and sentence were later announced on January 25, 2024, and Aoba was sentenced to death.

Shinji Aoba, the perpetrator of the Kyoto Animation arson attack, has withdrawn the appeal for his sentence, making it final. Aoba was charged with murder and arson, and sentenced to death.

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