TOKYO – The Saudi Embassy in Japan has said that it is following the case of a Saudi citizen accused of smashing statues inside a Japanese temple in Tokyo.

The embassy confirmed in a press release that it is pursuing the case with competent Japanese authorities and has commissioned a team to collect details and information as part of ongoing investigations in this regard.

It added that the acting charge d’affaires and the cultural attache visited the temple’s director Eogon Moriyama and expressed the embassy’s strong condemnation of such action which is contrary to the tolerant principles of Islam, which does not allow attacks on places of worship.

The embassy valued the good feelings of the temple’s director toward the Kingdom and his assertion that such an incident is an individual act demonstrating the perpetrator’s psychological disorder.

The embassy has taken great interest in the subject with an emphasis on the appreciation for the depth of the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and its confidence in the Japanese judiciary.

The embassy will continue to pursue the case closely, follow all its developments and deal with all its aspects.

Japanese news networks reported last Wednesday that a Saudi man destroyed three 300-year-old Buddha statues in Senso-Ji temple in Tokyo.

Senso-Ji is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Taito, and Tokyo. It is considered Tokyo’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant.

The vandalism involved three stone statues measuring 60 to 100 centimeters tall and a 200-centimeter tall bronze one that was made about 300 years ago.

It has been designated as the ward’s significant cultural property.

The Saudi citizen, who was arrested by Tokyo Police department, is currently being investigated for reasons behind his action.

Saudis condemned the actions of the Saudi citizen, saying he should respect others’ beliefs and religions.