The Tokyo High Court has rejected an objection filed by lawyers fighting to appeal Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara's death sentence, sources said Tuesday.
The decision, handed down Monday, means Asahara's death sentence will probably stand. The Supreme Court is unlikely to overrule the decision unless there has been a violation of the Constitution or a legal precedent can be found, the sources said.
His lawyers can file a special appeal with the Supreme Court within five days. If the decision is upheld, the death sentence will stand without an appeal court session.
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