Alain Rosenberg, leader of the Church of Scientology
in France,
pushes aside a reporter as he leaves the 12th Chamber of the
Correctional Court in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, May 25.
Liberation, France
Court May 'Dissolve' Scientology in
France
"Up to now, the courts have succeeded only in muddying the
reputation of some Scientology members. Now they may strike a fatal blow to
Scientology in France. The trial should be a unique event in the annals of the
judiciary. … Along with seven defendants, the Church of Scientology Celebrity
Center - the central structure of the church in France - is for the first time
being put on trial as a legal entity in an organized fraud case. "
By Angélique Négroni
Translated By Elise Nussbaum
May
25, 2009
France - Liberation - Original Article
(French)
On
Monday, a Paris Criminal Court judge will try seven followers of Scientology
and two legal entities on charges of organized fraud. For the first time, the
organization runs the risk of the complete dissolution of its main structure in
France.
Up
to now, the courts have succeeded only in muddying the reputation of some Scientology
members. Now they may strike a fatal blow to Scientology in France. Those are
the stakes at a trial that opens Monday at the 12th Chamber of the Correctional
Court of Paris. The trial should be a unique event in the annals of the judiciary.
Along with seven defendants, the spiritual association of the Church of
Scientology Celebrity Center - the central structure of the church in France
which is located in Paris - is for the first time being put on trial as a legal
entity in an organized fraud case. The public company SEL, the flagship
bookstore of the organization, has also been named as a defendant.
This
referral to a criminal court, presided over by investigating magistrate Jean-Christophe
Hullin, may result in serious consequences for the organization. During the
eleven days of scheduled hearings the organization's future in France will be
at stake, because dissolution could be imposed. While it's true that this
punishment would be enforced only on the organization's two Paris offices, many
feel that if applied, it would mark the beginning of the end of L. Ron Hubbard's
empire in our country.
During
the trial, debate will center on the purpose of this organization. Does it
really aim to promote a method of spiritual awakening, as it states, or is it a
vast enterprise designed to part victims from their wealth, as the lawyer for
the victims, Olivier Morice, contends?
For
Mr. Morice, the trial is the culmination of a long arm-wrestling match between
the courts and Scientology. "There was an important ruling in Lyon in
1997, that resulted in convictions for fraud. We are putting the methods of the
organization before the same magistrates who heard that case 12 years ago. But
this time, the courts may condemn the structure of the organization rather than
those who it employs."
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
SAUNAS AND VITAMIN CURES
To put things into context, Magistrate
Hullin must therefore have reviewed all of the trappings of the typical Scientologist
and the treatment he or she must undergo. There is the electrometer [photo,
left], a device that members must purchase at there own expense for €5,000
[$7,000] deemed essential for members to become adepts. There are also vitamins
for any ailment. According to the order issued by the court, if the
electrometer provides the illusion of scientific respectability, the only harm
done is to the wallet. The vitamin cure, however, is more harmful. They could have,
according to the court order, the effect of "plunging a person into an
extreme state of fatigue, resulting in a gradual de-socialization … and finally
a state of submissiveness." This state is carefully maintained by
interminable sauna sessions, repetitive physical tests and repeated courses
that can last as long as 12 hours. This often renders even the most valiant of
followers completely docile and unable to resist, according to the investigating
magistrate.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
Mr.
Patrick Maisonneuve, lawyer for the Scientology Celebrity Center, will try to
combat this terrible portrayal of a machine that crushes its victims. "The
question isn't whether Scientology is a religion," he warns, continuing, "The
arguments should address nothing but the charges of organized fraud that I will
rebut. There is no fraudulent maneuvering. Scientology is not masking its true
intentions. It is well established."
The entrance to the Church of Scientology
building in the
12th arrondissement in Paris.
And
if, according to Mr. Maisonneuve, this monumental scam actually existed, the
victims would be counted in the hundreds - not just two. Or three, if one adds the
National Council of Pharmacists [Pharmacists oppose Scientology, which regards
drugs for metal illness as dangerous]. "There may be abuses" the
lawyer acknowledges. There may perhaps have been isolated mistakes that
shouldn't tarnish the reputation of the entire organization. For the prosecution,
however, there's not a single shred of wrongdoing in the entire affair, because
all of its written submissions have been dismissed. The defense will ably
recall this during the debate, but this, too, may evolve in light of the
court's deliberations.
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US May 26, 6:37pm]
