TOKYO, May 28 (UPI) -- The Tokyo High Court Friday sentenced to death Yoshihiro Inoue, 34, a leading member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult behind the 1995 sarin attack on a Tokyo subway.
Inoue is one of ten culprits, including the group's founder, Shoko Asahara, to receive capital punishment for his involvement in the sarin attack that killed 12 people and injured thousands in March 1995.
The High Court judge, Toshio Yamada, overturned the previous sentence of life imprisonment given by the Tokyo District Court four years ago, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Friday. The judge described Inoue as a general coordinator of the operation, and thus equally responsible as those who carried out the crime. Yamada's lawyers said they would immediately appeal to the Supreme Court.
This is the 13th death sentence handed down to the Aum Shinrikyo leaders for this and other crimes. The cult now calls itself "Aleph."
