France
Learn about Scientology history and controversies in France.
France in the News
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September 9, 2008 |
Church of Scientology Faces Fraud Trial in France |
A French judge has ordered two branches of the Church of Scientology and seven of its leaders to stand trial for fraud, in the latest of a series of French legal battles against the organisation promoted by celebrities such as Tom Cruise. |
France, fraud |
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November 15, 1999 |
Reuters: French ex-Scientology leader guilty of fraud |
A French court sentenced a former regional leader of the Church of Scientology to jail for fraud in connection with courses offered by the organisation. |
crimes, France, Marseilles, Press |
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December 14, 1998 |
At a Loss To Make Legal Findings |
The saga of Scientology's legal skirmishes in France date back at least as far as 1978, when the organisation's founder, L Ron Hubbard, was condemned in absentia for fraud. But if the latest legal row involving Scientology is far from being the first, it is surely one of the most bizarre. In October, Le Figaro newspaper revealed papers in a long-running legal action against the self-proclaimed church had gone missing, provoking outrage from lawyers working on the case. Justice Minister Elizabeth Guigou considered the incident serious enough to order an internal inquiry. Even before this, however, there were signs something was amiss. |
crimes, France |
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November 23, 1996 |
French Scientologist Sentenced After Church Member's Suicide |
The founder and former head of the Church of Scientology in Lyons was convicted of fraud and involuntary homicide today in the death of a church member who committed suicide after going heavily into debt to pay the sect for counseling sessions. A French tribunal sentenced the defendant, Jean-Jacques Mazier, to serve 18 months in prison, with an additional 18 months suspended, and fined him $100,000. The eight-day trial, in the first week of October, also examined charges of fraud, attempted fraud or aiding and abetting fraud against 22 other church officials or supporters involved in its activities in France. |
crimes, France, Patrice Vic, Press |
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November 18, 1996 |
With New Zeal, France Screens Religious Sects |
French police estimate that there are some 250 sects in France, representing 160,000 members and 100,000 sympathizers. The government's criteria for what it calls a sect include: mental destabilization; exorbitant financial demands; a break with job, family, or friends; dangers to health; indoctrination of children; antisocial discourse; disturbing public order; troubles with the law; embezzlement; infiltration of government. |
France, Press, Scientology and Society |
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October 8, 1996 |
Cult Watchers Await Verdict |
French campaigners against cults are hoping for legislation against "mental manipulation" if the country's scientology leader is found guilty today of the involuntary manslaughter of a follower who died after jumping from a 12th floor window. After a 10-day trial, a court in Lyon will decide whether Jean-Jacques Mazier had a role in the 31-year-old disciple's suicide in 1988. It will also rule on fraud charges against 23 other leading members of the organisation. |
crimes, France, Patrice Vic, Press |
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January 11, 1996 |
French Keeping Eye On Cults |
Unveiling a new study of cults, French lawmakers called for a crackdown Wednesday to prevent further cult-related financides. France now has 173 groups it considers cults, and cult members here have increased by at least 50% in the past dozen years to an estimated 300,000 people, lawmaker Jacques Guyard said at a news conference. Guyard, who wrote the report, said it was "difficult to say" how many lives were in danger. But with a dozen doomsday groups in France, he said, "it's important to watch out, especially for groups with children." |
France, Kathy Feshbach, Press, Scientology and Society |
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January 19, 1992 |
French Scientologists Face Fraud Charges |
French authorities have charged 13 members of the Church of Scientology with fraud and practicing medicine illegally, court sources say. They include Jean-Claude Chapelet, the president of the French branch of the church, the sources said Wednesday. Police raided the church's headquarters in Paris Monday after former members claimed that they had been swindled out of a total of $750,000. |
France, fraud, Press |
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January 16, 1992 |
France Charges 13 Scientologists With Fraud |
Authorities have charged 13 members of the Church of Scientology with fraud and practising medicine illegally, court officials said yesterday, including the president of the French branch of the group, Jean-Claude Chapelet. |
crimes, France, fraud, Press |
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