Japanese cult leader Chizuo Matsumoto, known as Shoko Asahara, once led thousands who hung on his every word.
But now the leader previously known for rambling rants, sits silent in a Tokyo courtroom, as he faces murder charges for the 1995 poison gas attack on the city’s subways.
Why won’t Asahara speak?
The trial of the guru has gone on for seven years, is he bored? Some speculate this might be a legal strategy, reports Asahi.
More likely the former cult leader doesn’t enjoy being in a situation that he doesn’t control.
Matsumoto has already been indicted on 27 murder counts and the outcome of this long trial seems certain.
Asahara will likely hang in accordance with Japanese law and the wishes of families that he victimized.
In another related story an Aum devotee just released from prison flew to Moscow in an attempt to rally the faithful remnant there, reports News24.
That devotee Fumihiro Joyu claims he has “lost faith” in his jailed guru, because Asahara’s prophecies failed regarding the end of the world.
But that disappointment did not persuade Joyu to dissolve the group. After all, the cult business is often quite lucrative.
The Japanese government sitll considers Aum a threat, reports the BBC.
It wouldn’t be prophetic to predict the end for Asahara now. Despite his silence Chizuo Matsumoto will be executed and find his ultimate fulfillment at the end of a rope.
no comment untill now