Reuters
Sept. 29, 1999

French court orders continued Scientology probe

PARIS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A French court said on Wednesday a fraud probe into 16 members of the Church of Scientology should continue despite a lengthy delay and the disappearance of important legal files in the case.

The Paris court rejected the church's demand that the probe, which is separate from a Scientology fraud trial held earlier this month, be dropped on a technicality.

The case has caught public attention because legal evidence was also reported missing recently in two other probes into Scientology.

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An administrative investigation is underway to determine how the documents were lost.

Opponents of the church have accused it of tampering with the files. The church has denied any responsibility.

The case dates back to 1989 when the 16 Scientologists were accused of fraud and illegal practice of medicine by former Scientology members who say they were cheated.

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.