Asia-Pacific News
Japanese cult member surrenders after 16 years on run
Jan 1, 2012, 5:47 GMT
Tokyo - A former leading member of the Japanese cult behind the deadly 1995 subway gas attack turned himself in to police, local media reported Sunday.
Makoto Hirata, a 46-year-old Aum Shinrikyo member on the run for more than 16 years, was arrested for the kidnapping and death of an office manager in 1995, Kyodo News quoted police saying.
Hirata allegedly admitted to having driven the vehicle involved in the abduction, police said.
The sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway system killed 13 people and injured more than 6,000.
Cult founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, and 12 followers are facing death sentences for the attack and a string of other crimes.
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