German police raid Scientology offices in Munich
MUNICH, Feb 10 (Reuters) - More than a hundred police officers
raided offices belonging to the United States-based Church of
Scientology in the southern German city of Munich on Tuesday,
state prosecutors said.
The raids are linked to separate investigations into the death
last year of a businessman who allegedly received medical advice
from Scientology members, three cases of suspected arson and the
reported distribution of insulting material.
State prosecutors said Scientology had cooperated with the raids
of five of its offices. They said details of the results of the
search would be made known on Wednesday.
A Scientology spokesman said the raids were directed at individual
members of the group rather than the organisation itself. He
dismissed the police action as "absurd."
German police are investigating the death last year of a
businessman who died after allegedly being told by the members of
the group to take a "vitamin preparation" for an illness.
A second inquiry involves three cases of suspected arson on a
house, car and a summer-house. The original suspect has claimed
the fires were started by Scientology members.
A separate investigation follows the distribution, allegedly by
Scientology members, of pamphlets describing staff of a local
hospital as "psychiatric murderers."
German authorities, which regard the group as a financial concern
out to exploit its members, put the Los Angeles-based Church of
Scientology under surveillance last June on suspicion of
"anti-constitutional" intent.
Scientology has been able to draw on the support of high-profile
supporters in its campaign against what it views as discrimination
by German political parties, companies and other institutions, all
with backing from Bonn.
Hollywood stars including Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and Oliver
Stone signed an open letter last year accusing Bonn of persecuting
Scientologists in the same way Hitler persecuted Jews.
Further facts
about this criminal empire may be found at
Operation Clambake and FACTNet.
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02:13 p.m Feb 10, 1998 Eastern
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