Sentencing in Trial Against Scientology

Source: El Mundo
Date: September 22, 2001

Sentencing in Trial Against Scientology<

Seven months of process, 17 years of instruction, thousands of written pages, hundreds of people investigated and 12 Scientologists accused...

At last, yesterday, the Provincial District Court of Madrid let view for sentencing a judgment that has been before the bench for the first time in the history of Spain "a sect with an extravagant zeal for money" (according to the public prosecutor) or "a Church of good faith" (according to the public relations machine of the organization).

Nobody knows very well when the sentencing will be, but Judge Pilar Olivan recommended yesterday to the defense lawyers that they eat "the calm morsel." [I have no idea what this figure of speech means.] At noon, after the hall gave the accused the opportunity to speak for a few minutes, everyone laughed and hugged each other. The 3 magistrates, the public prosecutor, the learned ones and the accused said good-bye amidst relief and jokes, although uncertainty will poke them within a few months.

The judge now has to decide whether the 12 members of Scientology are guilty of illegal association, a crime for which the public prosecutor asked for three months in prison for each. On the other hand, the lawyers are convinced of the innocence of their defendants and included they asked for an acquittal so bruising "that it won't even be possible to appeal it."

[Translation by Prignillius]


Having regard to sentence the trial against Scientology<

RAFAEL J. ALVAREZ

MADRID - Seven months of trial, 17 years of instruction, written thousands of pages, hundreds of people surveyed and 12 Scientologists accused ... Finally yesterday, the Provincial Court of Madrid was seen sentence for a trial that has sat on the bench for the first time in the history of Spain to "a sect with an excessive desire for profit" (according to the prosecutor) or "a Church good faith "(as the apparatus of public relations for the organization).

Nobody knows when there will be a very good sentence, but Judge Pilar Oliván recommended yesterday to defense lawyers who eat 'nougat quiet. "

At noon, after which the hall would give the accused the opportunity to speak for a few minutes, everyone laughed and gave hugs. The three judges, the prosecutor, lawyers and the defendants were dismissed between relief and jokes, although the uncertainty will delve inside a few months.

The judge must now decide whether the 12 members of Scientology are guilty of conspiracy, a crime for which the prosecutor called three months in prison apiece. On the other hand, lawyers are convinced of the innocence of their clients and even ask for an acquittal so forceful "that can not even appeal."

(Google translation)


Visto para sentencia el juicio contra la Cienciología

RAFAEL J. ALVAREZ

MADRID.- Siete meses de proceso, 17 años de instrucción, miles de folios escritos, cientos de personas investigadas y 12 cienciólogos acusados... Por fin ayer, la Audiencia Provincial de Madrid dejó visto para sentencia un juicio que ha sentado en el banquillo por primera vez en la Historia de España a «una secta con un desmedido afán de lucro» (según el fiscal) o a «una Iglesia de buena fe» (según el aparato de relaciones públicas de la organización).

Nadie sabe muy bien cuándo habrá sentencia, pero la juez Pilar Oliván recomendó ayer a los abogados defensores que comieran «el turrón tranquilos».

A mediodía, después de que la sala diera a los imputados la oportunidad de hablar durante unos minutos, todos se reían y se daban abrazos. Los tres magistrados, el fiscal, los letrados y los acusados se despidieron entre alivios y bromas, aunque la incertidumbre les hurgará por dentro unos cuantos meses.

La juez tiene que decidir ahora si los 12 miembros de Cienciología son culpables de asociación ilícita, un delito para el que el fiscal pide tres meses de prisión por cabeza. En el otro lado, los abogados están convencidos de la inocencia de sus defendidos e incluso piden una absolución tan contundente «que ni siquiera se pueda apelar».

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