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Japan indicts U.S. Marine over Okinawa killing, media say
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- Japanese prosecutors have indicted U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Devin Jacob Ballard on charges of robbery and murder related to the death of 39-year-old Anna Yagi in Okinawa.
- Ballard, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, is accused of strangling Yagi with a telephone cord and stealing her backpack containing a wallet; he denies the allegations.
- The case has sparked protests in Okinawa and Tokyo, leading to political condemnation and the imposition of a curfew and alcohol ban for U.S. soldiers stationed in Okinawa.
- The incident has intensified concerns over the large U.S. military presence on the island, which is strategically located near Taiwan and China.
- The III Marine Expeditionary Force acknowledged the indictment and pledged full cooperation with Japanese authorities during the ongoing investigation.
