TOKYO, Japan � Wednesday local law enforcement officers claimed the arrest of three ex members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. They were identified as
Toshiyuki Kosugi, Tetsuya Uemura and Mitsuo Sunaoshi and are linked to the 1995 assassination attempt on the nation's chief of police.
BBC NEWS
Toshiyuki Kosugi was once a senior police officer himself. He initially confessed to shooting Mr Kunimatsu in 1996, but no charges were brought
against him due to lack of evidence.
According to the Japanese media, Wednesday's arrests came as a result of new information gained from questioning Mr Kosugi further.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
The shooting that seriously injured Takaji Kunimatsu, came just ten days after the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, killing 12, for which the cult is
also held responsible. Apparently, the attack was aimed at obstructing the investigation into the nerve gas attack. The true motives for that terrible
incident are still unknown but it seems that the group, mixing Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, believed that Armageddon was imminent.
The organisation's mastermind, former cult leader Shoko Asahara, plus 11 others have recently been sentenced to death. Aum Shinrikyo, having 1,600
members, is now named Aleph and claims to be harmless. However they remain under close surveillance of Japan's intelligence agency. According to the
agency, Aum cultist are still faithful to Ashara's twisted ideologies and a clear danger to public safety.
The Daily Yomiuri Online article below is a fine addition to the story above, giving detailed information on the plot. In my opinion it's fairly
interesting that a former law enforcement officer was involved. However, enough said regarding the present arrests. Let's hope or pray for a future
definite case closed.
Related News Links:
Daily Yomiuri Online - Police: Cultist in on plan to shoot top cop
Japan Today - Police raid 8 Aum facilities over 1995 NPA chief's shooting
[edit on 8-7-2004 by Hoaks]
[edit on 8-7-2004 by Banshee]