February 27, 2004

Aum doomsday cult leader sentenced to death

From the Straits Times: bq. Death for Tokyo nerve gas attack Aum cult leader wanted to rule Japan and is behind 'brutal' crimes that killed 27, including the 1995 attack in the subway bq. After a lengthy trial that transfixed the nation, former cult guru Shoko Asahara was yesterday sentenced to hang for the 1995 deadly nerve gas attack on Tokyo's subway system and other crimes. bq. The presiding judge called Asahara's crimes, which claimed 27 lives, 'merciless, vicious and brutal'. bq. He said the Aum doomsday cult leader had desired to 'rule Japan and become a king' after an embarrassing defeat in national elections. One sick puppy and someone who well deserves to be put down. His plea: bq. He has denied any guilt, claiming that his followers, who perpetrated the killings, had misunderstood his teachings and he had lost control over them. bq. But 11 senior cult members, who have already been given death sentences, have all fingered him as the mastermind behind the killings. Right - it was my underlings, my minions. They didn't obey my orders... Reminds me of Peter Anspach's Evil Overlord List Posted by DaveH at February 27, 2004 3:52 PM