Shoko Asahara
Cult leader and founder of Aum Shinrikyo
Born
1955
71 years ago
Died
Category
Leaders & Politicians
Country
Japan
Links & References
Founded Aum Shinrikyo, a controversial new religious movement in Japan during the early 1980s. The group gained notoriety for its apocalyptic beliefs and practices. In March 1995, members carried out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to over 50 others. Asahara was arrested shortly after the attack and convicted of numerous crimes, including murder. In 2004, he was sentenced to death, a sentence that was upheld in 2011. Executed on July 6, 2018, his actions and the resulting trial brought significant attention to issues of cults and extremism in Japan.
Founded Aum Shinrikyo
Executed for Tokyo subway sarin attack
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