A Japanese court upheld death sentences against two...

A Japanese court upheld death sentences against two Aum Supreme Truth cult members for spreading deadly Sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subway in 1995, killing 12 people.
The Tokyo High Court rejected appeals by Toru Toyoda, 36, and Kenichi Hirose, 40, who were among the five Aum members who released the Nazi-developed gas in the morning rush hour, leaving thousands of people needing treatment.
"It was an unprecedented atrocious crime of extreme gravity," presiding judge Shogo Takahashi said, stressing the two "cannot be spared the ultimate punishment."
Four of the five who physically released the Sarin were sentenced to death, while Ikuo Hayashi, a former top surgeon was sentenced to life in prison.
The high court also turned down an appeal by Shigeo Sugimoto, 45, who was sentenced to life in jail for indirect role in the gassing on March 20, 1995.