The Church of Scientology, a controversial
self-styled religion with many well-known Hollywood adherents, will be tried in
Paris on charges of organized fraud, France-Info radio reported on Wednesday, dpa reported.
If found guilty, the church could be declared illegal and disbanded. French
authorities have always considered that Scientology, which counts film stars
Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its members, is a sect, not a religion.
The organization is accused of using illicit arguments and procedures to sell
its products and services to its members.
The public prosecutor had argued that the charges should be dismissed because
the officials of the Church of Scientology did not benefit personally from the
organization's revenues.
The trial is scheduled to be begin on May 25.
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