Tokyo, Nov 22(ANI): The Japanese Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of senior Aum Shinrikyo cult member Seiichi Endo for his role in the 1995 twin sarin attacks.
The 1995 sarin attacks killed 13 people and left thousands wounded.
"Every one of his criminal acts was meant to protect the cult, and its cruel and inhuman acts were unparalleled," the Japan Times quoted Supreme Court's No. 1 Presiding Justice Seishi Kanetsuki, as saying.
"The defendant's responsibility for being involved in the killings of 19 people by misusing his scientific knowledge was very heavy, and the death sentence therefore cannot be avoided," he added.
Endo can file for a correction of the ruling within ten days.
Endo's death sentence will, however be confirmed if the Supreme Court ruling is not overturned.
Endo was earlier convicted by lower courts for creating the nerve gas used by cult in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in 1994, as well as gassing of the Tokyo subway system in 1995.
The subway attack highlighted flaws in the nation's security system and also brought other cult's crimes to the light.
Endo is the 13th cult member to have been handed the death penalty.
Endo's lawyers argued that he did not execute the attacks and that Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara brainwashed him.
Asahara, 56, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was convicted of masterminding the cult's crimes, and killing 27 people. (ANI)
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