Olivier Schmidt / Intelligence - Association for the Right to Information, France - The Belgian Justice Ministry is preparing to take on the Church of Scientology (CS) in a legal struggle which could seriously damage the organization's "presence" in the European Union. On 4 September, state prosecutor Jean-Claud Van Espen recommended that the CS should stand trial for fraud, extortion, illegal business practices, unlawful medical practices, and breaches of the country's privacy laws.

These accusations are the result of a ten-year investigation which concluded that the organization should be regarded as a criminal organization, using religion as a cover for criminal practices. Germany arrived at a similar conclusion several years ago.

Twelve senior members of the CS European office, on Wetstraat in Brussels, will be indicted if the trial goes ahead, a decision to be taken by a panel of senior Appeal Court judges currently considering the evidence.

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This is the latest, and by far the most serious attempt by Belgian prosecutors to deal with the Scientologists. In 1995, the CS was included in as inquiry into sects by a parliamentary commission. Liberal Senator Luc Willems publicly accused the organization of targeting "psychologically weak" individuals who are easily influenced, but was reminded by party colleagues that the CS was "hypersensitive" to criticism. In 1999, at least 120 police officers raided twenty-five premises registered to the CS, including the Brussels HQ.

Legitimate religious organizations in Belgium enjoy many benefits. The state pays the salaries of priests and parsons, imans, and rabbis, and subsidizes the building and renovation of religious buildings: churches, mosques, temples, and the offices of the Church of Scientology.

If convicted on fraud charges alone, the financial implications could seriously damage the organization and will have a knock- on effect on the bank-accounts of "stars" like John Travolta and Tom Cruise, the organization's Hollywood representatives.

This article was first published at Intelligence - Association for the Right to Information, France

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