|
BRUSSELS, Dec 28 (KUNA) -- Belgium's public prosecutors have decided to
prosecute the Church of Scientology in Belgium as a criminal organisation.
Belgian media reports Friday said the organisation and several of its
members face charges of extortion, fraud, and illegal practice of medicine.
The decision follows years of investigation by Belgian authorities into the
activities of the organisation whose European headquarters is based in
Brussels.
Belgian judicial authorities are seeking a strong condemnation that can
serve as an international precedent. Several years ago the organisation was
convicted in France on fraud charges.
In Belgium the Church of Scientology is not recognised as a faith.
On its website, the Chucrh of Scientiology says "Scientology is a
twenty-first-century religion."
The first Scientology church was established in 1953 in New Jersey, USA, by
American science fiction author Ron Hubbard who died in 1986. (end)
nk.ajs
KUNA 281704 Dec 12NNNN
|