AUM Shinrikyo cult founder Shoko Asahara, who was executed Friday for numerous crimes, had suffered no psychiatric problems, according to sources with knowledge of his behavior in a detention facility.

The 63-year-old, who masterminded the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system among other murders that resulted in 29 deaths, was seen sitting silently without speaking to guards.

However, he was able to stand up on his own when he was told to take a bath once in several days at the Tokyo Detention House, the sources said.

Asahara's family had claimed he was mentally incompetent and could not be executed as stipulated in Japan's law of criminal procedure, but multiple Justice Ministry sources denied any abnormality in his mental status.

(A television set up in Tokyo broadcasts news of Asahara's execution)

Since mid-2008, Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto, ad declined all meeting requests from his family and lawyers.

According to the sources, the cult founder's appearance completely changed after his arrest when he had his hair cut short and removed his beard.

He spent most of the day sitting in his solitary cell but was communicating with a doctor who regularly came to check his condition.

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Refusing to use a toilet in the cell, he always wore a diaper and was seen sometimes with rough skin.

A document submitted by the detention center to the Yokohama family court in May 2015 said, "Based on the diagnosis by a psychiatrist, he maintains body functions and at least has no explicit psychiatric disorders."

The document was submitted in connection with a request made by a daughter of Asahara to nullify her parents' right to inherit her property in the event of her death.

On Friday, Asahara and six former senior members of the cult were executed. They were among 13 people placed on death row in connection with the string of crimes perpetrated by the doomsday cult.