-Caveat Lector- >From CNN, http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9909/08/BC-France-Scientology.ap/index.html - French Justice Ministry investigates destruction of Scientology evidence September 8, 1999 Web posted at: 7:06 AM EDT (1106 GMT) PARIS (AP) -- France's Justice Ministry opened an investigation Wednesday into the destruction of key evidence against the Church of Scientology in a Marseille court, according to judicial sources. Marseille court officials alerted the Justice Ministry to the removal of more than three tons of evidence in August, the sources said on customary condition of anonymity. The Marseille prosecutor's office said in a statement that the destruction of certain sealed files was a result of "negligence" by a court clerk and not an intentional act. The documents relate to an investigation opened in 1990 against regional Scientology leaders in the southern coastal cities of Marseille and Nice for fraud and the illegal practice of medicine. Seven of those leaders are scheduled to go on trial Sept. 20. The destruction of the evidence will not delay the trial, the sources said. According to a lawyer representing the plaintiff, a former Scientologist, the evidence destroyed includes financial statements, notes concerning Scientology members and apparatus known as "electrometers," designed to measure "self-control." The lawyer, Jean-Michel Pesenti, said the documents were relatively unimportant, but that the church could try to use their disappearance to delay the trial. The case was initially put off in 1995 due to a procedural error. A Paris appeals court is expected to rule Sept. 29 on a similar case against the Church of Scientology in which evidence also disappeared. France has long had a contentious relationship with Scientology, which is fighting to be recognized as a legitimate religion in Europe. In July, France's highest court upheld the acquittal of nine Scientology members accused of corruption and theft, ruling it lacked the authority to decide whether Scientology is a religion. French prosecutors had argued the church was a sect that defrauded people of their money. France registers the church on a list of 173 groups that should be tracked to prevent cult activities. Most other European countries also don't accept it as a religion. Founded in 1954 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Los Angeles-based organization teaches that technology can expand the mind and help solve human problems. Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. -- Dan S DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
