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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Church of Scientology on trial in France AFP - Tuesday, May 26 PARIS (AFP) - - The Church of Scientology and six of its French leaders went on trial on Monday on charges of organised fraud that could lead to an outright ban on the organisation in France. ADVERTISEMENT Known for its Hollywood celebrity followers Tom Cruise and John Travolta, the group is in the dock in Paris for the second time in six years, although French courts have prosecuted several individual Scientologists since 1978. The court is hearing a complaint from two women, one of whom alleges she was manipulated into handing over 20,000 euros (28,000 dollars) for costly Scientology products, such as an "electrometer" to measure mental energy. She says she was approached in a Paris street by a Scientologist in late 1998 who offered a free personality test, at a time when she was feeling psychologically fragile. After being told that her test results were poor, the woman was sold a series of "life-improvement courses", vitamins and other products that she could ill afford, landing her in debt. The second complainant alleges she was forced by her Scientologist employer to undergo testing and enroll in courses in 1998. When she resisted, she was fired. The plaintiffs' lawyers argue that Scientology resorts to harassment and pressure to rein in victims who show signs of vulnerability. The Scientology Celebrity Centre in Paris, its director Alain Rosenberg and five other top officials are accused of preying on fragile followers "with the goal of seizing their fortune by exerting a psychological hold". Seven church officials were initially charged, but one has since died. The group's spokeswoman in France rejected the accusations, and insisted that Scientology is a legitimate religion whose members face persecution. "This is a trial for heresy," said Daniele Gounord, adding that the Church was being "hounded" in French courts because it advocates new ideas. The Scientologists are also charged with illegally supplying pharmaceutical products after plaintiffs said they were given vitamins and concoctions to improve their mental state. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of seven years in jail and a fine of one million euros. French prosecutors failed to win a conviction in a previous fraud case against the church in 2003 but this is the first time that the plaintiffs are invoking a 1994 law that could lead to the group being dismantled. Under provisions of that legislation, the Scientology Celebrity Centre and a library in Paris could be shut down for failing to meet their responsibilities as legal entities. Founded in the United States in 1954 by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology was officially recognised as a religion there nearly 20 years later. It is often accused in European countries of exploiting its members financially. In France, where there are believed to be several thousand Scientology followers, officials treat it as a sect and not a religion. The trial is scheduled to continue until June 17 and a ruling is not expected until some time later. Even if the court rules in favour of the plaintiffs and decides to impose a ban, the Church of Scientology has the right to appeal and the legal wrangling could continue for years. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Guru wounded in Austrian Sikh temple shooting dies: policeAFP - Monday, May 25 30 hurt in clash at Sikh temple in AustriaAFP - Monday, May 25 UK-World SummaryReuters - Monday, May 25 Darfur rebels seize town from Sudan troops: UNAFP - Monday, May 25 Craps player sets record at NJ casinoAP - Monday, May 25 Most Popular – World Viewed Obama signs credit card reforms Smokers duped by light cigarettes: US court Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men Popular cereal is a drug, US food watchdog says Health chiefs warn against 'sneaky' flu virus View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

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