PARIS, Oct 27 — A Paris court today fined the French branch of the Church of Scientology a total of €600,000 (RM3.16 million) after finding it guilty of fraud but allowed the group to continue operating in France.
When the hearing opened, there were expectations that the court could order the group to be banned in France but due to a mix-up over a law that passed in parliament just before the start of the trial in May, that option was ruled out.
Under the law it is no longer possible to punish a fraudulent organisation with dissolution.
The court handed down suspended prison sentences ranging from 10 months to two years and fines of €5,000 to €30,000 to four leaders of the group in France.
The case was brought by two former members who said they were cajoled into spending €21,000 and €49,500 on personality tests, vitamin cures, sauna sessions and “purification packs”.
Scientology, which is officially considered a sect in France, denies fraud and is expected to appeal. — Reuters
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