Scientology on Trial in France

(Paris, France) Four French former Scientologists filed complaints against the Scientology movement claiming organized fraud. Despite lobbying by actor Tom Cruise and opposition from the French state prosecution service, an independent magistrate decided the prosecution should continue.

Two female plaintiffs allege that, between 1997 and 1999, the French movement persuaded them to pay the equivalent of €20,000 each on drugs, vitamins, counselling, saunas and equipment to improve their mental and physical health. This included an "electrometer" to measure the state of their "spiritual condition".

The movement is accused of pretending to "identify and resolve alleged psychological difficulties" and "promoting the personal flowering" of its adepts with the "sole aim of seizing their resources" and "establishing psychological control over them".

The official charges against Scientology are organized financial fraud and illegal distribution of drugs.

If convicted, the Scientology movement could be ordered to shut down its French operations. Notably, two of the original complainants have backed off.