Supreme Court rejects appeal by Aum founder Asahara, finalizing death sentence

Supreme Court rejects appeal by Aum founder Asahara, finalizing death sentence

Friday, September 15, 2006

The Supreme Court rejected a special appeal filed by the defense counsel for Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara on Friday, finalizing the death sentence against him over his involvement in the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system and other charges.

The move came after the defense lawyers had missed the Aug 31, 2005, deadline for submitting a statement to the Tokyo High Court to give the reason for their appeal against the capital punishment handed down to Asahara, 51, at a lower court in February 2004."