Shoko Asahara

Shoko Asahara (麻原 彰晃 Asahara Shōkō) (born March 2, 1955) is the founder and former guru of the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo (now known as Aleph), convicted of masterminding the 1995 Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway as well as several other crimes. He was sentenced to death. As of September 2005, the sentence has not been carried out, pending an appeal.

Tokyo subway gas incident, accusations and trial

Main article: Sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway

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On March 20, 1995, Aum attacked the Tokyo Subway System with the nerve gas Sarin. Twelve commuters died, and thousands more suffered from after-effects. After finding sufficient evidence, authorities accused Aum Shinrikyo of complicity in the attack, as well as in a number smaller-scale incidents. Tens of disciples were arrested, Aum’s facilities were raided and soon the court issued an order for Shoko Asahara’s arrest. He was discovered in a very small completely isolated room of the building belonging to Aum, meditating.

Related Topics:
March 20 - 1995 - Sarin

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Shoko Asahara faced 27 murder counts in 13 separate indictments. The prosecution argued that Asahara "gave orders to attack the Tokyo Subway", in order to "overthrow the government and install himself the position of king of Japan" (several years later prosecution introduced another theory, namely that attacks were ordered "to divert police attention" ). The prosecution also accused him of masterminding the Matsumoto incident and the Sakamoto family murder. According to the position of Mr Asahara's defence team, a group of senior followers initiated the atrocities, secretly from Asahara.

Related Topics:
Matsumoto incident - Sakamoto family murder

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Some of the disciples testified against Asahara, and he was found guilty on 13 charges out of 17 (three were dropped) and sentenced to death by hanging on February 27, 2004.

Related Topics:
Hanging - February 27 - 2004

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The trial has been referred to as the "Trial of the century" by the Japanese media. Yoshihiro Yasuda, the most experienced attorney in Shoko Asahara’s defence team, was arrested and was unable to participate in his legal defence team, though he was subsequently acquitted, prior to the end of the trial. Human Rights Watch criticized Yasuda's isolation. Shoko Asahara was defended solely by court-appointed lawyers.

Related Topics:
Yoshihiro Yasuda - Human Rights Watch

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Shortly after the beginning of the trial, Shoko Asahara cooperated with his defence counsel and provided explanations regarding the doctrine, aims of the organization and other matters. Later he resigned from the post of the representative of Aum Shinrikyo, in order to defend the group from forceful dissolution. Since then, Shoko Asahara ceased to speak even with his family members and supposedly spends his days in meditation.

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The legal team appealed the ruling; as a result, the trial went to the Supreme Court.

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