CAIRO (Kyodo) Iraqi authorities on Wednesday charged an Iraqi man in connection with the 2004 execution of a hostage Japanese backpacker, wrapping up their probe into the case.
But the Japanese Embassy in Baghdad said it has yet to be informed by the Iraqi justice authorities of the indictment of Hussein Fahmi Badr for the murder of Shosei Koda, who was found beheaded in Baghdad in October 2004.
The trial for the defendant will be held at the central court in the Iraqi capital, the judge in the case said, adding that Badr could face the death penalty.
According to the judge, the defendant was charged with terrorist murder under the antiterrorism law.
The judge also said that under Iraqi law, Koda's next of kin have the right to file an accusation and voice opinions on matters including the sentence to be given to the defendant.
Badr, who has already faced multiple charges, including another murder, said earlier that five people, including himself, were involved in the slaying of the 24-year-old Koda.