Skip to main content.
Religion News Blog is a non-profit service providing academics, religion professionals and other researchers with religion & cult news
ReligionNewsBlog

Religion news articles about religious cults, sects, world religions, and related issues

Navigation:
A Random Image
Aum Shinrikyo:

Watch on Aum cult extended


ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 2082 • Posted: Friday January 24, 2003  

Click here... More articles on this topic: Aum Shinrikyo

Asahi News (Japan), Jan. 23, 2003
http://www.asahi.com/

The Aum Shinrikyo cult predictably objected to a Public Security Examination Commission decision Thursday to extend government surveillance of its activities for three more years beyond Feb. 1.

The doomsday cult will file suit in Tokyo District Court to nullify the extended surveillance, Aum officials said.

The extension was approved because the cult is deemed capable of carrying out more indiscriminate mass murder, in line with the doctrine of its founder, Chizuo Matsumoto, 47, who calls himself Shoko Asahara, commission officials said.

The cult, now called Aleph, is branded as the origin of two instances of indiscriminate mass murder, in 1994 and again in 1995, through the spread of sarin nerve gas. A total of 19 people died in the attacks, and nearly 4,000 people were made ill.

After deciding on the extension, the commission immediately notified the cult and the Public Security Investigation Agency, an affiliate of the Justice Ministry.

Matsumoto is on trial for murder and other crimes.

The watch is based upon the Diet’s enactment of a 1999 law authorizing surveillance on groups implicated in indiscriminate mass murder.

A three-year watch on Aum was authorized in January 2000, and agency investigators and police have had access to cult facilities.

The cult must report its membership and assets every three months to the Public Security Investigation Agency.

The agency gave these reasons for extending surveillance:

* Matsumoto, accused mastermind of the two sarin attacks, still influences Aum activities.

* Matsumoto and five other cult leaders who carried out the sarin attacks are still Aum members; some are officers.

* Four Aum officers at the time of the attacks are still cult officers, including Fumihiro Joyu, now the Aum leader.

* Aum still embraces a dangerous doctrine that encourages murder.

* Evidence will show Aum is still dangerous and capable of indiscriminate mass murders.

* Aum retains its closed and deceptive character.

The agency said there are 88 Aum facilities operating in 16 prefectures.


What You Can Do From Here

Read More Articles On These Topics
more cult news articlemore religion news Categories: Aum Shinrikyo
more religion news aboutmore Religion News Blog articles about
Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article
Subscribe
Read Another Article
Find Related Information
cult research search enginecountercult information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults
Find Related Books


Most Popular Today


Share This Article

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:





Counter Cult Search

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.


Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.


Apologetics Search

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.


Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

About Religion News Blog
Religion News Blog (RNB), published by Apologetics Index, highlights news items and other resources on world religions, cults, religious sects, alternative religions and related issues. RNB's non-profit news clipping service is used by - among others - Christian apologists, countercult professionals, anticult organizations, cult experts, teachers, religion professionals, reporters and other researchers.

Home
Latest Headlines
RSS news feed [?]
Headlines by Email
News Trackers
Free content for your site
About RNB
Privacy Policy
Contact RNB
Link to RNB
Advertise on RNB
Apologetics Index
Cult FAQ
Apologetics Search Engine
CounterCult Search Engine