US Marine formally indicted on murder charge in Okinawa, Japan court confirms

Japanese prosecutors indicted a 20-year-old U.S. Marine on October 25 for the suspected murder and robbery of a woman in Okinawa. According to reports from The Korea Times and Free Malaysia Today citing the Yomiuri Shimbun, the suspect allegedly strangled a 39-year-old woman from Naha with a telephone cord in a hotel on October 3. The indictment also includes robbery charges for the alleged theft of a backpack containing the woman's wallet and other belongings.

While the Marine denied the allegations at the time of his arrest, investigative sources cited by The Korea Times and Free Malaysia Today indicate he has since made statements implying involvement in the case. A court spokesman in Naha confirmed the indictment to AFP, as reported by Malay Mail.

The incident has caused public outrage and prompted Japan’s premier to condemn the "heinous crime." The case has reignited controversy regarding the heavy U.S. military presence on the southern island.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail, The Korea Times, Free Malaysia Today — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.