Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara was sentenced to death Friday for ordering a series of crimes carried out by his disciples, including the March 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.

The widely expected sentence was handed down by the Tokyo District Court after a trial lasting seven years and 10 months. Asahara, 48, stood accused on 13 counts in connection with crimes that caused 27 deaths.

The counsel for the guru, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, immediately filed an appeal.