Counterterrorism: Aum Shinrikyo

Initial Response Intelligen

ce

Weapons Laws

Initial Response

Prior test attacks conducted

Police had planned raids on Aum

March 20th 1995 Tokyo Subway sarin gas attack

Police and military units mobilized

Police raid on Mount Fuji complex

Intelligence

Public Security Intelligence Agency

“Act Regarding the Control of Organizations Which Committed Indiscriminate Mass Murder”

“Anti-Subversive Activities Law” prevented by government oversight board

Increase in intel to arrest key members

Major leaders arrested and sentenced to life in prison or death (including Shoko Asahara and over 200 members)

Last member at large arrested in 2012

Investigation of members by other countries including Russia, Germany, U.S.

Weapons Laws

“Law concerning the Measures for Protection of the People in Armed Attack Situations”

“The Law on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Regulation of Specified Chemicals”

Amended “Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention”

Allowed for increased prosecution of Aum Shinrikyo

Similar laws to these passed or amended internationally

Effectiveness: Aum Today

No attacks since 1995 sarin attack

Major leaders arrested and jailed

Group not able to be made illegal under “Anti-Subversive Activities Law”

Highly investigated and major assets taken away

Group changed name and leadership but current motives are unknown

Still on terrorist list for some nations