Prosecution for formal trial has been instituted against 189 persons in connection with the series of cases allegedly involving Aum Shinrikyo cult members, including the Sarin gas subway attack on March 20, 1995. As of July 31, 2002, sentences of the first instance have been handed down to 185 of these defendants, while the other 4 are still awaiting first instance trial. Of those who have been sentenced, 169 have received final judgment. More specifically, 165 have been sentenced to imprisonment with labor, of which 78 have been imprisoned without suspension of execution of sentence and 87 (including 2 found partially not guilty) have been given suspension of execution of sentence, 3 sentenced to fines and 1 found not guilty. Death sentences have been handed down to 8 defendants. 12 defendants, including these 8, are awaiting Koso appeal judgments and 4 other awaiting Jokoku appeal judgments (Source: Criminal Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice).
Explanation of terms
Minor fine: Minor fine is a kind of pecuniary penalty, and the lightest principal penalty of such penalties (1,000 yen or more but less than 10,000).
Reversed and remanded: Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, where the court of Koso appeal or Jokoku appeal considers a request for appeal to be reasonable, the court may reverse the original judgment and remand the case to the original court for re-trial. The court of Koso appeal or Jokoku appeal may also render a new judgment after reversing the original one.
Bail: Bail is to release the detained defendant on condition that he/she pays bail money.