Members of Aum Shinrikyo apologized Friday to the people victimized by the heinous crimes committed by senior cultists on the orders of the guru, Shoko Asahara, who was sentenced to death earlier in the day.
"We will deeply take to heart the death sentence" and will "exert more efforts" to compensate the victims, the group said in a brief statement.
Asahara, 48, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was convicted of murder and attempted murder in 13 counts that resulted in 27 deaths.