AP Sept. 23, 1999
Fraud Trial for Scientologists Ends
By JEAN-CHARLES BANOUN
MARSEILLE, France (AP) - The fraud trial of seven Scientologists
concluded Thursday with the defense asking the court to ignore the anti-
Scientology rhetoric strong in France.
In a 90-minute plea, attorney Jean-Yves Le Borgne urged the judges to
"escape the media and political pressures that denounce Scientology
and the danger it represents."
The defense asked that all charges be dropped.
[...cuts...]
Le Borgne argued, though, that "fraud cannot exist in the
domain of religion." -- [How's that for the amazingly
stupid claim of the century? FLR]
The assistant prosecutor argued Wednesday for up to three years in
prison for six church members. He asked the court to use its own
judgment on the seventh Scientologist, who denounced the church after
three months as a member.
The assistant prosecutor refused to debate about whether Scientology
was a religion, comparing the Church of Scientology to "an octopus, a
monster that devours the money of its followers."
[...cuts...]
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