Doomsday guru Shoko Asahara said Tuesday that he had twice tried to kill himself in prison, and that he hoped those who died in last year's subway nerve-gas attack would be reborn in a higher world.
The statements came as Asahara made a last-ditch appeal against the outlawing of his Aum Shinri Kyo cult, accused in the subway attack that killed 12 people and injured more than 5,500.At an administrative hearing in the jail where he is being held during his murder trial, the 41-year-old cult leader argued that neither he nor his group poses a threat to society.
"I would never give orders or commands to carry out destructive activities," he said in a clear, self-assured voice. "Please let my followers continue their training."
Aum has already been dissolved as a religious organization and declared bankrupt. Authorities now are seeking to invoke a rarely used anti-subversive-activities law that would effectively ban the cult, prohibiting its members from raising funds or assembling in large groups.
Tuesday's hearing was the fourth on whether to ban the cult, and the last at which Asahara will testify. A Justice ministry lawyer denied a request by Asahara's lawyers for more testimony from their client.
The presiding Justice Ministry official ruled that Asahara's nine hours of testimony, at Tuesday's hearing and a previous one, were sufficient.
Security was tight in the cramped hearing room at the Tokyo Detention House. The blinds were closed and about 10 guards surrounded Asahara.
While Asahara has said little in court during his murder trial - refusing to respond to his birth name of Chizuo Matsumoto - he has spoken vigorously in his defense during the hearings on the anti-subversive law.
He testified Tuesday that he twice tried to kill himself in his cell by suffocating himself with articles of clothing.
Asahara did not give a specific reason for the attempted suicides, but implied that his death would have been a form of martyrdom. "As the spiritual leader of Aum, it would be best for me to die first.
The cult leader said he was continuing his religious training in jail, with the aim of achieving rebirth on a higher plane for everyone, including those who died in the subway attack. But he acknowledged no responsibility for those deaths.