2008.E2.80.9309 cases Scientology in France

1 2008–09 cases

1.1 early
1.2 conviction fraud

1.2.1 case
1.2.2 church public comments
1.2.3 future repercussions

2008–09 cases
early

on september 8, 2008, judge jean-christophe hullin ruled scientologists celebrity center, bookstore, , 7 church leaders should tried fraud , illegally practicing pharmacists . ruling in regards complaint made in 1998 woman said enrolled church of scientology group met outside metro station. woman said paid 140,000 francs illegally prescribed drugs, e-meter, , books. trial due begin on 25 may 2009. believed if french scientology organization lost case, end being dissolved. on 16 june 2009 current.com incorrectly reported several of church s leading members, including leader xavier delamare, had been arrested , church had been banned practicing in france. turned out, website had been referencing outdated bbc news article november 1999. in september 2009 reported french scientology organization no longer @ risk of dissolution result of fraud trial, due opportune , unexplained change in french legislation. legislation change has since been reversed.

conviction fraud

on november 24, 2015, court of appeal of paris had condemned french state pay 35,000 euros spiritual association of church of scientology-celebrity center , 4 of members miscarriage of justice , gross negligence. scientology association had argued before appeal judge fact prosecution had demanded dissolution in trial in 2009 not illegal, constituted offence state should condemned. paris court of appeal had upheld saying: ... characteristic deficiency of public prosecutor s office, if court, making exact application of law in force did not pronounce dissolution of spiritual association of church of scientology celebrity center, characterizes deficiency of public service of justice fulfil mission of invested. state had been found guilty of miscarriage of justice violating right of association , of members receive justice within reasonable delay. dissatisfied outcome, decision state had intended challenge before court of cassation. latter issued decision in judgment of 22 march 2017 confirming in respects decision of court of appeal , holding state inadmissible challenge content. second decision of french court of cassation in favour of church of scientology since beginning of year. indeed, on january 12, highest judicial body in country had confirmed condemnation of association unadfi (union of associations of defense of families , individual) had illegally , in bad faith presented victim in same case (2009), criminal proceeding marked proven deficiency of public prosecutor s office , single pretended victim acted in bad faith , abused right act in justice . scientology religion has been practiced in france since 1950s, , churches have tens of thousands of faithful in hexagon , millions in world. if france not recognize or subsidize religion, guarantees free exercise. around france, scientology religion recognized religion in united kingdom, spain, portugal, italy, holland, sweden, german courts, etc., , church s humanitarian programs affect dozens of millions of people in world every year.

case

on 27 october 2009, church of scientology convicted of defrauding recruits out of savings. 1 woman claimed lost more €20,000 in 1990s. judges ordered scientology celebrity center , bookshop pay €600,000 (us$888,000) fine; earlier plans prosecution force church disband not proceed. law supporting complete dissolution temporarily inadmissible, due rework of penal code. dissolution law not reinstated until after case had begun, , therefore not used. judges stated disbanding church push underground, not monitored. in indictment, investigating judge jean-christophe hullin criticized called scientologists obsession financial gain , practices said aimed @ plunging members state of subjection .

seven leading scientologists fined, including head of scientology in france, alain rosenberg. rosenberg received two-year suspended jail sentence combined €30,000 fine. 4 of leaders received suspended sentences ranging ten months 2 years, while other 2 fined minor amounts. agnès bron, church spokesperson, likened fines to, inquisition modern times . according catherine picard, head of french association of victims of cults, fining might encourage more unhappy scientologist recruits bring out concerns. stated that, scientology can no longer hide behind freedom of conscience.

church public comments

the scientology celebrity center spokesman, Éric roux, stated that, there attitude toward religious minorities in general ... pretty catastrophic . in relation government s official cult monitoring mission (agency) miviludes, roux claimed have government pushes hate against religious minorities . however, , others contested fraud committed against families , individuals .

the church of scientology stated appeal, u.s. church spokesman tommy davis claim proceedings being heresy trial , claims fines thrown out on appeal. ve had similar cases before , in other countries. if has go court of human rights re confident win there . davis claims proceedings in total violation of european convention on human rights , french constitutional guarantees on freedom . according view, france pretty in dark ages on subject of religious tolerance ... ll prevail have repeatedly in situations approximating 1 .

agnes bron, french official organisation, stated each person complains have 100,000 ready nothing things scientology. rolling stone article 2009 reported scientology has 100,000 200,000 adherents worldwide.

future repercussions

judges said ensure paid posting placed in multiple publications outside france (including time magazine , international herald tribune) ensure news spread beyond france; according olivier morice, lawyer civil plaintiffs, court told scientologists, in essence, very, careful, because if continue use same methods of harassment, won t escape next time . morice added that, it’s first time in france entity of church of scientology condemned fraud organized gang . georges fenech, head of miviludes, said court condemned [the french branch of scientology] entity ... due fraudulent way of operating ... [if] begin swindling again, can subject dissolution in future . fenech added that, [this] historical turning point fight against cult abuses , , that, while members allowed continue activity ... seed has been planted .

in interview on canadian broadcasting corporation current affairs radio program current hana gartner, former high-ranking scientology official mark rathbun commented decision convict church of scientology of fraud in france not have significant impact on organization. on france thing don t think s going have lasting impact, because got 9 hundred thousand dollar fine think - chump change them. ve got literally billion dollars set aside in war chest, said rathbun.

as of 2009, members of church being sued fraud , practicing pharmacology without license.