Japanese Cult Guru May Face Charge in Follower’s Death
TOKYO — The alleged mastermind of the nerve gas attack on Tokyo’s subway system now probably will face a charge of having ordered the strangulation of a cult underling last year.
Shoko Asahara, 40, guru of the Aum Supreme Truth cult, has been in custody since May 16, charged with murder in the March 20 subway attack that left 12 people dead and 5,500 sickened.
On Wednesday, police formally “rearrested” him, giving notice that they feel they have sufficient evidence to bring charges in the strangulation case. They have at least three weeks to bring charges.
Asahara is suspected of ordering the strangling of Kotaro Ochida, 29, a pharmacist at a cult hospital. Police said Ochida was killed in January, 1994, by Hideaki Yasuda, 27, a former Aum member.
Japanese media said Yasuda, who was arrested earlier, told police that Asahara and 10 other senior cult members witnessed the killing at the cult’s commune at Kamikuishiki, near Mt. Fuji.
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