Toyko, Japan - Aum Shinrikyo, the cult behind a series of deadly assaults, including the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo, is heading for a breakup, with a new splinter group likely to be formed as early as July, according to security sources.
The move, seen as an attempt to escape tough government surveillance, is being led by Fumihiro Joyu, 43, a senior Aum member and "representative" of the cult, they added.
The sources said the new sect would likely be officially formed in July. However, it remains unclear how many of the estimated 1,650 Aum members would follow Joyu.
Joyu has reportedly long been distancing himself from cult founder Chizuo Matsumoto, 51, who has been sentenced to death for his crimes.
The resulting tension, the sources added, has developed into a severe internal conflict between Joyu's supporters and Aum members who still look to Matsumoto as their guru.
Live-in members were notified of the breakup in April.
The group led by Joyu is believed to be holding a seminar during the Golden Week holidays.
The key to the establishment of the new sect is how many followers take part in the seminar.
About 80 followers are believed to have participated in similar seminars held during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Joyu had served as Aum's spokesman shortly after the 1995 sarin attack on the Tokyo subway system, which killed 12 people and sickened more than 5,500.
He was arrested and indicted on perjury and other charges the same year.
After completing a three-year prison sentence in late 1999, Joyu returned to the cult.
The Public Security Examination Commission in January this year extended a three-year surveillance period of Aum until 2009.