Paris, France (CNN)
27 October 2009
A French court's verdict against the
Church of Scientology amounts to a "modern Inquisition" and threatens
freedom of religion in France, a senior Scientologist said Tuesday.
Eric
Roux, a spokesman for the group and an official representative of the
organization's Celebrity Center, also said the church would appeal
Tuesday's verdict.
A three-judge panel at the Correctional
Court in Paris convicted the church and six of its members of organized
fraud, but stopped short of banning the church, as prosecutors had
asked.
The court also fined the members as much as 400,000 euros
($595,000) each and sentenced them to as much as two years in prison,
though the sentences were suspended.
The decision follows a
three-week trial in May and June, during which two plaintiffs said they
were defrauded by the organization, which is classified as a sect in
France.
* French court convicts, fines Church of Scientology and six members of organized fraud
* Two plaintiffs said they were defrauded by organization, classified as sect in France
* Plaintiffs complained at use of device that Scientologists say measures spiritual well-being
# Judge at Correctional Court in Paris said church may continue activities in France
Full article at
cnn.com
