Death Sentence Upheld for Cult Leader Asahara, Mastermind of Tokyo Subway Sarin Gas Attack
Japan's Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for the mastermind of the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995, which killed 12 people. Shoko Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, will be hanged.
The former leader of Aum Shinrikyo cult was sentenced to death by the Tokyo District Court in 2004 for the subway attack and 12 other cases. Altogether 27 people were murdered.
Earlier this year, the Tokyo High Court rejected an appeal by the defense lawyers, saying they failed to submit the necessary documents in time.
Following the rejection, the defense lawyers filed a special complaint with the Supreme Court to overturn the Tokyo High Court decision. However on Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the defense counsel's complaint and upheld the High Court's ruling.
Shoko Asahara has no other avenue of appeal under Japan's judicial system.
In 1995, Aum followers attacked the Tokyo subway system with sarin gas, a lethal nerve gas developed by the cult.
Besides 12 people being killed, more than 5,500 were injured.
Many survivors are still suffering from aftereffects. The courts have decided that Asahara was behind it all and should die.