A key member of Japan's doomsday cult accused of a fatal 1995 gas attack on Tokyo subways was sentenced yesterday to life in prison for 10 related crimes, including murder. Tokyo District Court Judge Hiromichi Inoue rejected a prosecution demand that Yoshihiro Inoue be sentenced to death because he did not actually release the poisonous sarin gas in the subways or otherwise take an active part in the attack, Kyodo news agency said. Inoue, 30, was the cult's top intelligence officer and a close aide to Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) founder Shoko Asahara, who is on trial for numerous crimes related to the subway gassing, which killed 12 and left thousands ill.

(China Daily 2000/06/07)