Sarin nerve gas suspect Takahashi still influenced by cult, psychologist says
Former AUM Shinrikyo member Katsuya Takahashi, who is set to go on trial next month, is still under the influence of brainwashing by the doomsday cult, a social psychologist who has met him at a detention centre said.
Former AUM Shinrikyo member Katsuya Takahashi, who is set to go on trial next month, is still under the influence of brainwashing by the doomsday cult, a social psychologist who has met him at a detention centre said.
"He is still influenced by the (cult's) doctrine and looked like a believer," said Kimiaki Nishida, professor at Rissho University.
It is the first time since his arrest in June 2012 after being on the run for about 17 years that the condition of 56-year-old Takahashi has been revealed.
The former AUM member has been charged with murder over the cult's deadly sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995, which killed 13 people and left more than 6,000 people ill.
Nishida met Takahashi in October at the Tokyo detention centre. Takahashi's appearance has not changed since the time of his arrest, the professor said.