Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara gave up his final chance Thursday to answer questions from his lawyers, maintaining his silence as his seven-year trial at the Tokyo District Court drew nearer to its end.
The court set April 24 as the date when prosecutors will demand a sentence. The prosecutors, who said they have done their best to prove that Asahara was the mastermind behind the 1995 sarin gas attack on Tokyo's subway system and other Aum-related crimes, are widely expected to seek the death penalty.
The court is expected to hand down a ruling sometime early next year, after the defense counsel presents its final arguments Oct. 30 and 31.