Shoko Asahara | |
|---|---|
 Asahara in 1990 | |
| Born | Chizuo Matsumoto March 2, 1955 Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | July 6, 2018 (aged 63) Tokyo Detention House, Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Occupation(s) | Cult leader, founder of Aum Shinrikyo |
| Political party | Shinri Party |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouse | Tomoko Matsumoto (took the name "Akari Matsumoto" after her release from prison)[1] |
| Children | 12 |
| Conviction(s) | Mass murder Terrorism |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
Date apprehended | May 16, 1995 |
| Supreme Leader of the Aum Shinrikyo | |
| In office August 25, 1989 – May 16, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Religion founded |
| Succeeded by | Leadership collapse |
| President of the Shinri Country | |
| In office June 20, 1994 – May 16, 1995 | |
| Prime Minister | Kouichi Ishikawa |
| Supreme Leader | Himself as Leader of Aum Shinrikyo |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Chairman of the Shinri Party | |
| In office August 16, 1989 – July 6, 2018 Interim: 1990 — July 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Party founded |
| Succeeded by | Party dissolved Party dissolved after the execution of Asa |
Shoko Asahara (麻原 彰晃, Asahara Shōkō, March 2, 1955 – July 6, 2018), born Chizuo Matsumoto (松本 智津夫, Matsumoto Chizuo), was the founder and leader of the Japanese doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo. He was convicted of masterminding the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, and was also involved in several other crimes. Asahara was sentenced to death in 2004, and his final appeal failed in 2011. In June 2012, his execution was postponed due to further arrests of Aum members.[2] He was ultimately executed along with other senior members of Aum Shinrikyo on July 6, 2018.[3][4]
- ^ "Japanese Aum Shinrikyo Cult Leader Shoko Asahara Executed". The Inquisitr. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
- ^ "Execution of Aum founder likely postponed". asiaone News. The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network. June 5, 2012. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014.
- ^ "Aum Shinrikyo: Japan executes cult leader Shoko Asahara". BBC News. July 6, 2018.
- ^ "Aum Shinrikyo guru Shoko Asahara hanged for mass murder: reports". The Japan Times. July 6, 2018.