TOKYO, Nov. 18 -- After being on the run for 20 years, Jun Nishikawa ('ZHOON NEE-shee-kah-wah') has finally been taken into custody by Japanese authorities. The 47-year-old member of the Red Army terrorist group was arrested today upon his arrival at Tokyo's Narita ('NAH-ree-tah') Airport.
Ironically, the fugitive was transported to Japan aboard a Japan Airlines flight. Nishikawa is accused of participating in the hijacking of a Japan Airlines jet in 1977. The Red Army member was arrested by Bolivian authorities last week in the city of Santa Cruz. Last Friday, the goverment ordered his expulsion to Japan. Home Affairs Minister Mitsuhiro Uesugi ('MIH-tzoo-hee-roh WAY-soo- gee') addressed the cabinet and said, 'The police will continue to closely cooperate with authorities in other countries to look into conditions of the Red Army and take action.' Besides Nishikawa, eight other members of the group have been captured in the past two years. One of whom was found guilty in the United States last week of attempted murder. Tsutomu Shirosaki ('TZOO- toh-moo SHEE-roh-sah-kee') could serve 70 years in prison for his involvement in an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta in 1986. Japanese police are investigating the Red Army network used by the group to elude authorities for so many years. Nishikawa's capture will make their job easier.The Japanese Red Army was founded in 1971. The pro-Palestinian group has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks around the world during the 1970s and 80s, among them the attack on the passenger terminal at Tel Avivi's Lod Airport in 1972 that resulted in the deaths of 24 people. ---
Copyright 1997 by United Press International. All rights reserved. ---
