Global Security Newswire

The one-time head of the Japanese cult that dispersed sarin nerve agent in the Tokyo subway system in 1995 is seeking a new trial, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, June 6, 2006).

“Lawyers filed a petition for a retrial on Monday” on behalf of Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara, according to a spokesman for the Tokyo District Court.

Asahara, 53, born Chizuo Matsumoto, was sent to death row in 2004 for crimes including the sarin attack that killed 12 people. His actions have led to the deaths of 27 people and injuries to thousands.

Defense attorneys unsuccessfully appealed the sentence, arguing that Asahara had deteriorated psychologically to the point that they could not communicate with him.

It is rare in Japan for those on death row to be executed while a retrial request is pending, according to local reports.

The Justice Ministry is “making decisions (on executions) cautiously, looking at the reasons for seeking retrials,” a spokesman told AFP (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Nov. 11).