The Church of Scientology Loses in French Court PARIS (Associated Press) -


The Church of Scientology is denouncing a fraud verdict against it in France, calling it "an Inquisition of modern times."

A Paris court today convicted the Church of Scientology's French office, its library and six of its leaders on a charge of organized fraud and fined it more than $900,000.

The court did not order the Church of Scientology shut down as prosecutors had asked, however, saying it would be likely to continue its activities outside a "legal framework."

Investigators accused the group of pressuring members into paying large sums of money for questionable financial gain. They said the church used "commercial harassment" against recruits.

The original complaint involves a woman who says she spent tens of thousands of dollars on books, courses and "purification packages" after being recruited in 1998. When she sought reimbursement and asked to leave the group, its leadership refused.

The Church of Scientology's French branch says it will appeal the verdict.
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