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The following is a chronology of events related to the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult and its founder, Shoko Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto: March 2, 1955 — Matsumoto is born in Kumamoto Prefecture. February 1984 — Asahara forms group Aum Shinsen no Kai. July 1987 ...
While the execution of cult founder Shoko Asahara may offer a degree of closure on a string of crimes that shocked Japan, it also creates an opportunity for further debate about the death penalty.
Asahara allegedly asked for his body to be handed over to fourth daughter; wife petitions minister
Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara is said to have told a detention house guard to give his body to his fourth daughter.
Letters written by executed Aum cult members reflect regret, desire to live
Letters sent from prison to civic groups by some of the executed Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult members expressed regret for their heinous crimes and a wish to atone. Their letters also included calls for the abolition of capital punishment and requests for amnesty, showing their ...
U.N. human rights agency calls for national debate on death penalty after Aum executions
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed regret over the executions of Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara and six other former members of the cult, calling for a national debate on the death penalty. "We regret that seven people were ...
Aum victims and bereaved express sense of closure, disappointment and confusion over executions
The execution of Aum Shinrikyo leader Shoko Asahara and six others from the doomsday cult leaves some feeling empty, gives others a sense of closure.
Aum founder Shoko Asahara's execution leads to renewed debate in Japan on death penalty
While the execution of Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara and the group's former senior members may offer a degree of closure on a string of crimes that shocked the nation, it also creates an opportunity for further debate in Japanese society about the ...
The following are brief descriptions of three major acts of violence by the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult. Tokyo subway sarin gas attack Under instructions from Aum leader Shoko Asahara, 15 senior members conspired to take plastic bags containing sarin onto five Tokyo subway trains, which were ...
Profiles of top Aum Shinrikyo members, including six still on death row
A central figure in the Aum Shinrikyo cult as a chemistry expert, Masami Tsuchiya, 53, was sentenced to death in 2004 for his role in the production of sarin that was used in deadly gas attacks in Nagano Prefecture.
Japanese have mixed opinions on execution of Aum leader Shoko Asahara and six accomplices
A wide-range of reactions were heard Friday to news of the executions of Shoko Asahara and six former senior members of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo — which carried out the deadly 1995 sarin nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway system — with ...
Authorities on alert as Aum successor and splinter groups remain active
Public security authorities are on alert amid concerns that Friday's executions of Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara and former senior members could prompt groups of his supporters to become more active. The mainstay group — renamed Aleph — and two splinter groups have continued ...
Aum founder Shoko Asahara was mentally competent during detention, sources maintain
Aum Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara, who was executed Friday for numerous crimes, suffered no psychiatric problems, sources with knowledge of his behavior in a detention facility said. The 63-year-old, who masterminded the 1995 sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway system and 29 other ...
