Japanese alleged cult members arrested under work laws

ABC Radio Australia/June 16, 2005

Police in Japan are believed to have arrested three senior members of the doomsday cult that carried out a deadly 1995 gas attack on the subway in the capital, Tokyo.

Japan's Jiji Press Agency is reporting the three have been arrested for alleged violation of employment law.

Among those arrested was Shigeru Sugiura, 46, a founding member of the Aum Supreme Truth sect that killed 12 people and injured thousands in the subway gassing.

Mr Sugiura allegedly conspired with other cult members to send followers to work at computer software and other firms.

Japan's labour laws require labour ministry permission for anyone functioning as an agent who goes between employers.