Japan Cult Leader Jailed for Attack

The Associated Press/February 16, 1999

TOKYO (AP) -- A former doomsday cult leader was sentenced to almost four years in prison today for aiding other cult members after their 1995 nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subways.

Hisako Ishii, 38, former finance chief of the Aum Shinri Kyo cult, was convicted of three counts -- providing funds for fleeing culprits, destroying a body and concealing evidence. She was sentenced to three years and eight months.

The ruling by Tokyo District Court said Ishii's act was a ``selfish crime,'' Kyodo News service reported.

Cult guru Shoko Asahara, accused of masterminding the subway gas attacks that killed 12 people and sickened thousands, is being tried separately on 17 counts of murder and attempted murder, along with other charges.

Ishii was convicted of providing funds for cult members who carried out the Tokyo subway attack, including a $260,000 payment to one member who was later arrested.

She was also accused of helping burn the body of a follower who died at the cult's training facility in June 1993. She was also accused of concealing the purchase of local land for the cult on southern main island of Kyushu by submitting false papers.