Tokyo ? The death sentence for a doomsday cult chemist was upheld today by a Japanese court that turned down the appeal filed by a 41-year-old man who played a key role in the 1995 nerve gas attack in Tokyo subways that killed 12.

The Tokyo High Court turned down the appeal filed by Masami Tsuchiya, a court spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity, citing court policy. She declined to release any other details.

Tsuchiya in January 2004 became the 11th member of the Aum Shinrikyo cult to be sentenced to death for the attack.

Prosecutors at the time said Tsuchiya’s responsibility in the killings was second only to that of the group’s guru, Shoko Asahara.

Tsuchiya was charged with murder and attempted murder in the subway gassing and other attacks.