Fusako Shigenobu

Shigenobu, 60, known as the "empress" for her leadership of the organization, founded in 1971 in alliance with hardline anti-Israeli Palestinian factions, was found guilty of conspiring with three Red Army members to storm the embassy and take the French ambassador and 10 staff members hostage to secure the release of a Red Army member from a French prison.

Two police officers were shot and seriously wounded in the attack.

France ended the 100-hour standoff by freeing the jailed guerrilla, who flew off with the hostage-takers to Syria.

The main point at issue in the trial was whether the court acknowledged Shigenobu's involvement in the attack even though she was not present when the three stormed the mission.

The court ruled that Shigenobu had conspired with members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine to obtain guns and grenades, and that she played a central role in planning the attack.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 4, 2006
(C) All rights reserved