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| Japan cult boss loses last appeal | Japan cult boss loses last appeal |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Japan's Supreme Court has rejected a final appeal by the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, paving the way for his execution. | Japan's Supreme Court has rejected a final appeal by the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, paving the way for his execution. |
| Asahara was convicted in 2004 of masterminding a 1995 attack when his followers released sarin nerve gas on commuter trains in Tokyo. | Asahara was convicted in 2004 of masterminding a 1995 attack when his followers released sarin nerve gas on commuter trains in Tokyo. |
| Twelve people died and more than 5,500 others were hurt in the attack, which hit rush hour commuters. | Twelve people died and more than 5,500 others were hurt in the attack, which hit rush hour commuters. |
| The Aum Shinrikyo cult was found to be responsible. | The Aum Shinrikyo cult was found to be responsible. |
| Asahara was sentenced to death in February 2004 after a trial lasting eight years. | |
| Last month, a court upheld the death sentence for the cult's alleged second in command, a chemist who oversaw the development of the nerve gas. | |
| Altogether, 12 cult members have been sentenced to death, but none of the sentences have yet been carried out. | |
| The cult changed its name to Aleph in 2000 and has renounced violence, but is still heavily monitored by police. |