Outrage Erupts on Social Media After 'He Didn't Kill Anyone' Remark Made During Kurdish Sex Offender's Appeal Hearing

Reports of a remark made from the public gallery during the appeal of a Kurdish man, a repeat sex offender, who is appealing his sentence, stating "He didn't kill anyone" in his defense, have sparked intense debate and outrage on social media.

According to reports, the defendant, Hasgül Abbas, who was sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexually assaulting a junior high school girl, has appealed the verdict. In response, a female relative attending the hearing reportedly shouted in Turkish, "He didn't kill anyone. Why are you giving such a punishment?"

This remark quickly spread across the Japanese internet, leading to a flood of angry comments such as "They have no intention of repenting" and "Could you say the same if it happened to you?" Many users pointed out that the harm caused by sexual offenses is "a wound that can derail a life" and "tantamount to murder of the soul." They expressed strong indignation at the attitude that trivializes such crimes by comparing them simply to murder.

Particularly prominent were opinions questioning multicultural coexistence, pointing out fundamental differences in values, such as "It's impossible to live in the same country as people who think sexual assault can be defended on the grounds that it's not murder" and "Coexistence with people of such intelligence is impossible." Furthermore, dissatisfaction with the current judicial system and penalties also surged, with comments like "Japanese justice is too lenient on offenders" and "They should be more aware." Numerous calls for severe punishments against the defendant and supporters were made, including "deportation," "asset forfeiture," "deserves capital punishment," and "even the death penalty wouldn't be enough."

Comments like, "While I sympathize with refugees, a sex crime, especially a repeat offense, is beyond redemption. The fact that the family member shares this mindset is also tough. This is the level where deportation is necessary," represent the complex emotions oscillating between humanitarian considerations and social security. Additionally, some users criticized the government's immigration policies, stating, "The LDP government reportedly plans to bring in more people from Africa and India..." and expressed concerns about crimes committed by foreigners and cultural friction.

This incident has once again prompted deep questions regarding multicultural coexistence, the perception of sexual offenses, and the state of the judicial system that Japanese society faces.

The Context

This incident has ignited a particularly strong reaction in Japan due to several underlying factors. The Kurdish community in Japan, primarily residing in Saitama Prefecture, often consists of asylum seekers whose legal status can be precarious, leading to complex social dynamics. There have been previous instances of tension or friction reported involving members of the community, which sometimes fuel public discourse regarding immigration and foreign residents.

In Japan, sexual offenses are generally regarded with extreme gravity. The public often views them not merely as physical assaults but as deeply psychological and life-altering traumas, frequently referred to as "murder of the soul" (魂の殺人), a concept explicitly mentioned in the article. This strong perception means that any attempt to downplay the severity of sexual assault by comparing it favorably to physical murder is highly offensive and provokes profound indignation among the Japanese public.

Furthermore, there is a recurring public sentiment that the Japanese judicial system is overly lenient towards criminals, especially in cases where offenders show no remorse or are repeat offenders. This often leads to calls for harsher penalties than those typically imposed.

Finally, Japan, a historically homogenous nation, is grappling with the challenges and implications of increasing multicultural coexistence. Incidents involving foreign residents and crime, particularly sensitive ones like sexual assault, often trigger intense debates about cultural differences, immigration policies, and national security, sometimes bringing underlying xenophobic sentiments to the surface. This case taps into these deep-seated concerns, prompting a wider societal reflection on justice, integration, and cultural understanding.