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Patrick Maisonneuve, one of France's leading jurists, after offering

his closing argument in a case that could lead to the dissolution of

his client - Scientology, France.

 

 

Le Figaro, France

Lawyer for Scientology Attacks Position of France

 

"Lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve knows what he's doing. In fact, he is such an expert that he offered an international dimension. A mini-world tour of cleverly chosen destinations which permitted him to show the extent to which France is taking an isolated stance on the issue."

 

By Angélique Négroni

 

Translated By Alexandra Griffiths

 

June 17, 2009

 

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)

Science fiction writer turned religious prophet L. Ron Hubbard: The church he founded in 1954, which includes high-profile members like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, may soon be booted out of France.

 

BBC NEWS VIDEO: Scientology goes on trial in France; could be fined heavily and banned, May 26, 00:01:26 RealVideo

The defense's closing speech was Scientology's last chance and lawyer Maisonneuve threw every argument he had to try and convince the court. After prosecution's closing argument on Monday, which would amount to the death penalty for Scientology in France since it demands the dissolution of its two flagship structures - the star of the Paris Bar did everything he could to defend the organization. It was a perilous mission, as the indictment which accused Scientology of nothing less that carrying out a monumental organized group fraud was still clear in people's minds.

 

But Patrick Maisonneuve, who was the organization's champion in 1996 during a major trial in Lyon, knows what he's doing. In fact, he is such an expert he offered an international dimension. A mini-world tour of cleverly chosen destinations which permitted him to show the extent to which France is taking an isolated stance on the issue. He reminded everyone that Scientology is registered as a religion in the United States, Portugal, Quebec and, as of 2008, in Spain.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

'FRAUDSTERS WITHOUT MAKING MONEY!'

 

“And as for us, we'll burn L. Ron Hubbard's books in the Cour de la Sainte-Chapelle! [the entryway to the Palais de Justice or Hall of Justice]” he cried, pointing out that the court would be on its own if it judged members of this organization as being part of a commercial enterprise. He emphasized that the United States, Sweden, Italy, South Africa and Austria have all ruled that Scientology isn't a commercial organization.

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Le Monde, France: Lawyer for Scientology France Rails Against Injustice

Le Parisien, France: 'Damning Testimony' from Former Scientology Leader

Le Monde, France: Scientology May Have a Friend in Sarkozy

Liberation, France: Court May 'Dissolve' Scientology in France

Bild am Sonntag, Germany: Scientology Seeks to 'Gain Power' in Germany

 

Returning to the charges leveled in France, Maisonneuve wanted to spare the court a lengthy closing defense argument to bring over three weeks of debate to a close. He preferred instead to give targeted insights, focusing on issues he deemed essential. Money, first of all. In this respect, the Scientologists in whose homes absolutely no money was found were congratulated tongue-in-cheek by the defense attorney. “They're extraordinary. They are swindlers without ill-gotten gain!”

 

 

Then the personality test, presented as the fatal weapon, the method utilized to systematically capture new clients [the "electromer," picture left]. The members of the organization were once again praised by their lawyer. “They are fraudsters who set up a bogus test - and yet these fraudsters continue to take this test themselves,” he screeched. An argument that, it must be said, is quite nettlesome to the prosecution's case.

 

These Scientologists who, according to the accusations, trap their victim using all sorts of tricks - the test, the electrometer (a machine that measures emotions), saunas that last four hours to purify the body and soul - seem, therefore, to have trapped themselves by carrying out these practices. During this trial, which was “extremely tense and carried out very much in the public eye,” Mr. Maisonneuve, who even managed to relax the atmosphere a bit and make people laugh occasionally, attempted to correct Scientology's image, which was badly undermined by the prosecution. The court will deliver its verdict on October 27.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US June 22, 5:29pm]