Japanese cult buildings raided

Australian Broadcasting Corporation/May 18, 1999

Japanese police today raided two buildings occupied by members of the Aum Supreme Truth Sect.

The sect is accused of masterminding the 1995 Sarin gas attack in the Japanese capital, which killed 12 people.

Police raided the buildings at Kawakami in central Japan to gather evidence in relation to a forgery investigation.

It is alleged a long standing member of the Aum Supreme Truth Cult used forged documents to buy land.

The cult described the raid as a carefully engineered act of religious suppression.

Police believe Aum still has about 2,000 followers.

The cult's leader Shoko Asahara is on trial facing numerous counts of murder, including charges related to the fatal gassing of Tokyo's subway system four years ago.