Japanese Court Sentences Aum Shinrikyo Cult Scientist to Death

A Japanese court today sentenced Aum Shinrikyo cult scientist Masami Tsuchiya to death for his role in a 1995 sarin attack on the Tokyo subway that killed 12 and injured thousands, according to BBC News (see GSN, Feb. 4, 2003).

Prosecutors had accused Tsuchiya of being in charge of the cult’s efforts to develop chemical weapons such as sarin, according to BBC News. They also said that Tsuchiya was the second most important man in the Aum cult, after founder Shoko Asahara (see GSN, Oct. 31, 2003). A verdict in Asahara’s trial is expected next month (BBC News, Jan. 30).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.