Syrian National Re-Arrested for Murder in Shiga-Gifu Case: Suspect Accused of Stabbing and Strangling Victim

In a case where the body of a woman, wrapped in a futon, was discovered in a copse in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, last year, the Shiga Prefectural Police and Gifu Prefectural Police on the 10th re-arrested Mohamed Hammoud (22), an unemployed Syrian national who had previously been apprehended on charges of abandoning a body, this time on suspicion of murder. Hammoud is suspected of repeatedly stabbing Mayumi Kiriyama (then 64), the victim, in the neck with a bladed weapon and then strangling her to death. His plea has not been disclosed.

Mohamed Hammoud, who was re-arrested, resided in Shimasato, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture. According to investigative sources, he arrived in Japan approximately two years ago on a short-term visa and had worked as a temporary employee for a period, but is currently unemployed, and suspicions of illegal stay have also emerged. The crime is believed to have occurred around March 14 last year, in Ms. Kiriyama's home garage in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture, after which the body was abandoned in a forest in Maibara City. Ms. Kiriyama's beloved dog was also found dead near her body, indicating the brutal nature of the incident.

To date, investigations have not confirmed any prior acquaintance or financial disputes between Mohamed Hammoud and Ms. Kiriyama, and the motive continues to be cautiously investigated.

This incident has also sparked a significant reaction on social media, with numerous voices expressing anxiety and concern, accompanied by keywords such as "crimes by foreigners" and "immigration policy." Particularly because the suspect was an unemployed foreigner, public debate has intensified regarding the proper way to accept foreign talent and the potential impact on public safety.

In response to this re-arrest, the police are intensifying their investigation to uncover the full extent of the incident, while also urging citizens to thoroughly implement their daily crime prevention measures.

The context

This article reports on a murder case in Japan, which has drawn significant public attention. For non-Japanese readers, several points are helpful for understanding the context:

• Re-arrest for murder: In Japan, it is common for suspects to be initially arrested for a lesser charge (like abandoning a body) while police gather more evidence. Once sufficient evidence for a more serious crime (like murder) is collected, they are then re-arrested on the new, graver charge. This process allows for extended detention and investigation.
• Illegal stay and foreign crime: Japan has historically had very strict immigration policies. News involving foreign nationals, especially those suspected of illegal residency or committing crimes, often ignites public debate about immigration policy, border control, and the perceived impact on public safety. The mention of the suspect being an unemployed Syrian national and potentially overstaying his visa taps into these sensitive discussions within Japanese society.
• Geographical context: Shiga and Gifu prefectures are located in the Chubu and Kansai regions of central Japan. Maibara City (Shiga) and Tarui Town/Ogaki City (Gifu) are neighboring areas, explaining why the body was found in a different prefecture from where the crime allegedly occurred.