3-year-old Syrian girl’s mutilated body found in garbage dump, killer arrested

Gulf Today Report

The Criminal Security Branch in the Syrian governorate of Homs announced the arrest of the killer of the 3-year-old girl known as Joy Istanbouli, whose mutilated body was found in a garbage dump.

Homs police chief, Brigadier General Ahmed Al Farhan, told media: "After investigations and search, the Criminal Security Branch arrested the murderer of the girl, Joy, in a short period. The killer resides in the same area, and is known for violence against his wife and children. He suffers from poor material and psychological conditions, and his motive for killing is instinctive.”

Brigadier General Al Farhan pointed out that all necessary measures have been taken against him, and he will be brought to justice.

The victim was playing in front of her house in the Muhajireen area in the city of Homs, central Syria, and she disappeared. About a week after her disappearance, the security services found her mutilated body it in a garbage dump.

The statement of the Syrian Ministry of Interior said: "The body of a girl was found dumped in the Tal Al Nasr landfill in Homs. Preliminary investigations and the medical examination of the body proved it was the body of the girl Joy Istanbouli, who was missing since August 8. Her mother identified her through her clothes." The ministry added that it was found that the cause of death was severe hemorrhage caused by hitting the head with a sharp tool. The judge ordered to hand the body over to the family.

It is noteworthy that in recent years, crimes of kidnapping children increased in Syria aiming at demanding ransoms from families, to sexually exploit them, or to traffick in their organs, in light of the bad economic and security conditions the country is experiencing.