Toyko, Japan - The Japan Federation of Bar Associations has complained that Chizuo Matsumoto, the convicted mass murderer who founded the Aum Shinrikyo cult, is not receiving proper medical treatment on death row.
A recommendation for appropriate measures dated Nov. 6 was sent by the JFBA to the Tokyo Detention House, where Matsumoto, 52, is imprisoned.
The federation said outside psychiatrists should be brought in to examine Matsumoto and have him treated with drugs or at a medical prison.
It said Matsumoto was suffering from severe psychiatric problems brought about by his long detention, but there were no signs that he was receiving any treatment for these disorders.
Matsumoto's death sentence was finalized in September 2006. He was found guilty of masterminding a string of crimes, including the sarin gas attacks on the Tokyo subway system in 1995 and in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, in 1994. The crime spree left 27 people dead and sickened thousands.
Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara, was arrested in May 1995.
In September 2005, lawyers in Matsumoto's appeal case before Tokyo High Court asked the JFBA's human rights protection committee to look into the matter. At issue in the trial was whether Matsumoto was mentally competent to be held responsible for the crimes.
The committee conducted an investigation that involved analyzing opinion papers written by doctors who examined Matsumoto.
Lawyers who were handling the investigation also met with Matsumoto in January.
According to those lawyers, Matsumoto's hair was cut short and he looked pale. He repeatedly scratched his chest and head.
Much like he did during his court appearances, Matsumoto said little during the January interview. He did not respond to questions about his health, his family or Aleph, the name now used by the organization that was Aum Shinrikyo.
Lawyers said they could not communicate with Matsumoto, since all he uttered was the occasional "Uuu" or "Hiii."
Based on that investigation, the JFBA concluded that Matsumoto was suffering from severe psychiatric problems brought about by his long detention.
However, Matsumoto was examined during the course of his trial and was ruled competent to stand trial.
The JFBA's report said that the constitutional protection of the dignity of individuals applies to everyone, and that a minimum level of care was needed outside of whether Matsumoto was competent or not to stand trial.