Aum splinter group raided over ‘pilgrimage’ tours
Police in Japan are probing a splinter group of the deadly Aum Shinrikyo cult for operating an unlicensed travel agency.
The group, called Circle of Light, emerged in the wake of Aum’s lethal sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995.
Police say the group offers so-called pilgrimages to national parks and other locales around Japan.
They say the tours attract lay folk in addition to believers.
Police say the group uses income to fund general operating expenses.
They plan to question leader Fumihiro Joyu to clarify the purpose of the tours.
Aum founder Shoko Asahara and other members are on death row for the Tokyo subway attacks and other crimes.