Doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara and several of his followers were executed on Friday for their roles in a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subways and other crimes, Japanese media reported.
The top Japanese government spokesman confirmed Asahara’s execution but wouldn’t comment on the others. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that six followers were also hanged, citing unidentified sources. In all, 12 followers had been on death row with Asahara for the crimes, which killed 27 people. Asahara was 63 years old.

Doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara and several of his followers were executed on Friday for their roles in a deadly 1995 gas attack on the Tokyo subways and other crimes, Japanese media reported.
The top Japanese government spokesman confirmed Asahara’s execution but wouldn’t comment on the others. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that six followers were also hanged, citing unidentified sources. In all, 12 followers had been on death row with Asahara for the crimes, which killed 27 people. Asahara was 63 years old.