Aum Supreme Truth (Aum)
a.k.a. Aum Shinrikyo
renamed Aleph (2000)
Description
Aum is a cult established in 1987 by Shoko Asahara, its charismatic and partially blind spiritual leader. The cult's belief system is rooted in esoteric mysticism and preaches a philosophy of apocalyptic nihilism. Followers have been encouraged to resist the current political establishment. Aum has rested on an organizational structure mimicking that of a nation-state, with "ministries" and a "pope secretariat." The cult, infused with elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Shamanism, Hinduism and New Age faiths, has forecasted the impending apocalypse. Beginning as a small group of fifteen, Aum's ranks expanded as it attracted young professionals and Japan's top university minds thanks to Shoko Asahara's frequent lecture tours. Aum recruited more than 300 scientists who specialized in biochemistry, biology, medicine, and genetic engineering.
Japanese police estimated that Aum's assets topped $1 million. These assets were accumulated from membership fees, donations, educational courses, Aum-run businesses and proceeds from literature sales. Initially, Asahara limited his teachings to non-violent meditation and introspection. In 1990, Aum members participated in the Japanese parliamentary elections. After intense campaigning, no Aum members obtained seats. A furious Asahara accused the government of election fraud, and began justifying murder on spiritual grounds.
Approved as a religious entity in 1989 under Japanese law, the group was active in local Japanese elections in 1990. Disbanded as a religious organization under Japanese law in October 1995, but in 1997 a government panel decided not to invoke the Anti-Subversive Law against the cult, which would have outlawed the sect.
Activities
On 27 June 1994, Aum carried out a sarin attack at the Kita Fukashidistrict in the city of Matsumoto in central Japan. The group used a refrigerator truck to release the nerve agent, which, assisted by a 3-5 knot wind, dispersed over the residential neighborhood. Seven were killed and hundreds hospitalized. The targets were three judges involved in a real estate lawsuit against Aum Shinrikyo. None of the three died in the attack.
On 20 March 1995, Aum members carried six packages onto five Tokyo subway trains during the Monday rush hour. The packages, hidden in newspaper, were left on the floor and punctured with umbrella tips, releasing liquid sarin nerve agents that killed 12 persons and injured more than 5,000. Japanese police later uncovered that Aum had accrued enough chemicals to make sarin gas to kill millions. Production was carried out outside Tokyo at the Satyan 7 facility in its Kamikuishiki complex. The complex, located near Mt. Fuji, had the capacity to manufacture thousands of kilograms of sarin gas a year.
Other unsuccessful attempts perpetrated by the group include the June 1993 dropping of anthrax spores from its Tokyo office building and laboratory, and attempts to release Botulin toxins in subway stations prior to the 1995 sarin attack.
Japanese police arrested Asahara in May 1995. In trial, he pled not guilty to all charges and claimed that Aum's followers acted independently of his direction. Despite these pleas, he was sentenced to death. His appeal in September 2006 was turned down. Other Aum leaders were sentenced to death and to life in prison. Japanese courts have rejected most appeals from Aum leaders. Several key Aum figures remain at large. The group may have perpetrated other crimes before the March 1995 attack and may have planned future attacks.
Strength
At the time of the Tokyo subway attack, the group claimed to have 9,000 members in Japan and up to 40,000 worldwide. Its current strength is unknown.
Location/Area of Operation
Operates in Japan, but previously had a presence in Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, the former Yugoslavia, and the United States.
External Aid
None.
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