Cult leader death sentence upheld

TOKYO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Japan's Supreme Court rejected an appeal from AUM Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara, who is sentenced to die for a 1995 gas attack on Tokyo subway.

The high court said a lower court's ruling that Asahara, 51, was competent to stand trial was valid, reports Kyodo news agency.

The ruling said the defendant had chosen not to communicate with his attorneys and therefore is responsible for the consequences.

Shizue Takahashi, whose husband was killed in the 1995 sarin gas subway attack, said, "I have long waited for the death sentence to be finalized." She said she is not interested in hearing an apology from Asahara.

The lower court found Asahara guilty on all 13 charges involving the deaths of 27 people.