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Belgium prosecuting Scientology

TrevAnon

Big List researcher
elgium is going to prosecute Scientology:

Dutch: http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/politiek_economie_belgie/Belgie_vervolgt_scientology.9284893-3136.art

Google translate:

The federal prosecutor's after years of research done with his case against the 'Church of Scientology of Belgium. It continues the famous movement, with actor Tom Cruise as figurehead known as "criminal organization".

The Church of Scientology of Belgium and two senior executives are also prosecuted for fraud, illegal medicine, various breaches of privacy and extortion. Learned that Time.
A previous criminal investigation against scientology dragged on for years and years is still the Brussels pantry. This study began in 1997, but the file was about older facts. This is in contrast to the new file that the federal prosecutor now at the Brussels pantry pull. The subpoenas are only just sent to scientology.
The association Scientology Church of Belgium, who three years ago moved from Brussels to Mechelen, exists since 1974. The Belgian department is very active - with all courses at companies, exhibitions, marathons, etc. - and will get the assistance of the European headquarters in Brussels.Employment contracts
The judicial investigation focuses on the internal practices of the Belgian branch of Scientology. The result was a complaint from the Brussels Regional Employment on dubious contracts that Scientology issued it. The case ended up in the Brussels investigating judge Michel Claise, in April 2008 raids had carried.
It would be a lot more incriminating evidence investigators have found. Besides the disguise of employment contracts to recruit volunteers and members, the court believes that there is extortion of members, the illegal use of pseudo-medicine and keeping records on all persons.
While Scientology in several countries, including the United States, recognized as a religion, targeting the Belgian courts are on a strict condemnation. Probably still provide more impact than the conviction in 2009 of Scientology in Paris, where a fine was imposed, but no ban.
The federal prosecutor refused Thursday to comment on the case file. Also at the Church of Scientology of Belgium was nobody willing to respond.

If I have the time, I will do more later.
 

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Purple Rain

Crusader
Hip hip...!

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mnql1

Patron Meritorious
Translation of a French article published in the December 28, 2012 edition of the Belgian daily newspaper L'Écho:
Belgium to prosecute Church of Scientology

December 28, 2012

After several years of investigation, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office has decided to launch court proceedings against the Church of Scientology of Belgium as a "criminal organization." The summonses for this matter were recently sent to the cult.

According to information gathered by our colleagues at the Tijd daily newspaper, the Belgian branch of the American cult and two of its senior officials are also accused of fraud, the illegal practice of medicine, various violations of the privacy protection law, and extortion.

An earlier investigation that began 1997 has been stalled for years and is still with the Council Chamber in Brussels.

The Church of Scientology of Belgium moved from Brussels to Malines (Mechelen) three years ago and has been present in Belgium since 1974.

The Belgian branch of the organization is very active (via myriad "courses" for businesses, exhibitions, marathons, etc.), and it receives logistical and financial support from the cult's European headquarters, which continues to be located in Brussels.

The new investigation by the prosecutor's office mainly revolves around the organization's internal practices. The starting point was a complaint by the regional employment services in Brussels concerning work contracts advertised by the "church" for volunteers and members.

The case landed on the desk of judge Michel Claise, who commissioned searches in April 2008. The documents that were seized allegedly provided evidence of extortion of members, of pseudo-medical practices, and the collection of information of a private nature.

9ql3yh.jpg
 
I didn't know they moved out of Brussels - I thought they had a big international org - so they could hold sway with the international execs / presidents/ state officials etc. - oh! My bad - I believed what Der Miscavage said in a event. Foof. Mimsey
 

Anonycat

Crusader
Hi,

You've reached the desk of Karin Pouw. I'm not here right now, but if you'll leave a message and time of call ...
 

TrevAnon

Big List researcher
Below an improved version of the google translate.

The federal prosecutor is ready with its case against the 'Church of Scientology of Belgium after years of research. It prosecutes the famous movement, with known actor Tom Cruise as a figurehead, as "criminal organization".

The Church of Scientology of Belgium and two senior executives are also prosecuted for fraud, illegal medicine, various breaches of privacy and extortion. That was what De Tijd learned.

A previous criminal investigation against scientology dragged on for years and years and is still at the Brussels court. This investigation began in 1997, but the file was about older facts. This is in contrast to the new file that the federal prosecutor now pull at the Brussels court. The subpoenas are only just sent to Scientology.

The Scientology Church of Belgium foundation, which three years ago moved from Brussels to Mechelen, exists since 1974. The Belgian department is very active - with all kinds of courses for companies, exhibitions, marathons, etc. - and gets the assistance of the European headquarters in Brussels.

Employment contracts

The judicial investigation focuses on the internal practices of the Belgian branch of Scientology. The inducement was a complaint from the Brussels Regional Employment on dubious contracts that Scientology issued. The case ended up at the Brussels investigating judge Michel Claise, who had carried out raids in April 2008.

Investigators are said to have found a lot more incriminating evidence. Besides the disguise of employment contracts to recruit volunteers and members, the court believes that there is extortion of members, the illegal use of pseudo-medicine and keeping records on all persons.

While Scientology in several countries, including the United States, is recognized as a religion, the Belgian courts are targeting for a strict condemnation. Probably this will provide even more impact than the conviction in 2009 of Scientology in Paris, where a fine was imposed, but no ban.

The federal prosecutor refused to comment on the case file at Thursday. Also at the Church of Scientology of Belgium nobody was willing to respond.
 

JustMe

Patron Meritorious
Below an improved version of the google translate.

The federal prosecutor is ready with its case against the 'Church of Scientology of Belgium after years of research. It prosecutes the famous movement, with known actor Tom Cruise as a figurehead, as "criminal organization".

The Church of Scientology of Belgium and two senior executives are also prosecuted for fraud, illegal medicine, various breaches of privacy and extortion. That was what De Tijd learned.

A previous criminal investigation against scientology dragged on for years and years and is still at the Brussels court. This investigation began in 1997, but the file was about older facts. This is in contrast to the new file that the federal prosecutor now pull at the Brussels court. The subpoenas are only just sent to Scientology.

The Scientology Church of Belgium foundation, which three years ago moved from Brussels to Mechelen, exists since 1974. The Belgian department is very active - with all kinds of courses for companies, exhibitions, marathons, etc. - and gets the assistance of the European headquarters in Brussels.

Employment contracts

The judicial investigation focuses on the internal practices of the Belgian branch of Scientology. The inducement was a complaint from the Brussels Regional Employment on dubious contracts that Scientology issued. The case ended up at the Brussels investigating judge Michel Claise, who had carried out raids in April 2008.

Investigators are said to have found a lot more incriminating evidence. Besides the disguise of employment contracts to recruit volunteers and members, the court believes that there is extortion of members, the illegal use of pseudo-medicine and keeping records on all persons.

While Scientology in several countries, including the United States, is recognized as a religion, the Belgian courts are targeting for a strict condemnation. Probably this will provide even more impact than the conviction in 2009 of Scientology in Paris, where a fine was imposed, but no ban.

The federal prosecutor refused to comment on the case file at Thursday. Also at the Church of Scientology of Belgium nobody was willing to respond.

It would be wonderful if they finally take effective actions. Justice can be slow in many places, it certainly is in the USA, and my goodness but it is very slow in Belgium. BUT it looks like we may get some real action at last.

About 3 1/2 years ago I had a long brunch with four top Belgium prosecutors. And then spoke with two of them more later.

This was at an event that Ursula's department sponsored in Germany. We spoke at length about many things including religious cloaking, employment fraud, staff member abuse, financal fraud and money laundering, corporate shell games and how the Belgium scientology operations were really run from the USA by Miscavige and those under him.

I also explained to them that no matter how many locals they prosecuted in Belgium, the same stuff would happen again and again until those who really run it from abroad could be held liable.

I answered many of their questions and left with the hope that they may do something to stop organized scientology's fraud and abuse.

These may not even be the same people but it is good to once again have the hope that something is about to be done.
 

TrevAnon

Big List researcher
Dutch radio station Business News Radio:

In response to the news a Church of Scientology spokesman in Amsterdam is surprised: "The funny thing is that the church is investigating criminal activity in Belgium within psychiatric institutions and drugs of the pharmaceutical industry."

Religious view
The spokesman for Scientology Church Amsterdam does not react to the accusation of extortion. But he says that “these accusations about 'criminal' activities have occurred frequently in the past but were ultimately always rejected”.

Barbieux is not surprised by the reaction of Scientology. "The reaction is not surprising. If they are emotionally affected in their ego by this action of the court, I understand very well that they respond like the do. If you appeal the authorities of Scientology international or national in Belgium , then they point the blame to someone else. They insist that they have a religious purpose and that we are to consider their activities as such, and that they are not involved in criminal activities."

http://www.bnr.nl/incoming/689654-1212/belgi-vervolgt-scientology-onzin-zegt-scientology
 

AnonyMary

Formerly Fooled - Finally Free

Lermanet_com

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TONY ORTEGA on SCIENTOLOGY

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Belgium Prosecuting Scientology as a Criminal Organization

Wow, Belgium is prosecuting Scientology for the way it treats people, not for what its members believe. Is there hope that, some day, the US government will get a clue and do the same? We have some initial thoughts from our man in Paris, Jonny Jacobsen.
http://tonyortega.org/2012/12/28/belgium-prosecuting-scientology-as-a-criminal-organization/

The Feds are running for cover, stealing as much as they can before their charade of 'representative government' collapses along with the US Dollar, - the only hope of motivating them to act at this time, IMO, is greed... Perhaps using the The Federal Forfeture act.. seizing the whole ball of wax and selling it off...

"Types of Federal Forfeiture

Criminal forfeiture is an action brought as a part of the criminal prosecution of a defendant. It is an in personam (against the person) action and requires that the government indict (charge) the property used or derived from the crime along with the defendant. If the jury finds the property forfeitable, the court issues an order of forfeiture.

For forfeitures pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), as well as money laundering and obscenity statutes, there is an ancillary hearing for third parties to assert their interest in the property. Once the interests of third parties are addressed, the court issues a final forfeiture order."


How about Major Fraud Statute (If Scn gets any Federal monies for its various scams)

"(1) In special circumstances and in his or her sole discretion, the Attorney General is authorized to make payments from funds appropriated to the Department of Justice to persons who furnish information relating to a possible prosecution under this section. The amount of such payment shall not exceed $250,000. Upon application by the Attorney General, the court may order that the Department shall be reimbursed for a payment from a criminal fine imposed under this section. "
 
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