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Russia: Police seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

mnql1

Patron Meritorious
Police raided the Moscow Church of Scientology on August 17, 2015 and seized audio and video recording equipment that, investigators believe, serves to record conversations and auditing sessions to later blackmail Scientology's clients. Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into "illegal trafficking of special technical equipment" based on article 138.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Violation of the Secrecy of Correspondence, Telephone Conversations, Postal, Telegraphic and Other Messages").

A short video of the police raid is available on a Russian "Life News" article:

http://lifenews.ru/news/159445

Sources (in Russian):

http://lifenews.ru/news/159445
http://tass.ru/proisshestviya/2191054
http://lenta.ru/news/2015/08/17/scientology/
 
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Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

.

Give all the Russian public and staff a Mo' burg.


Lovely to see obvious crooks get treated as such. Even if it takes other crooks to do it.
 

Dulloldfart

Squirrel Extraordinaire
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

Google translation of the first article:

The Church of Scientology secretly watched his parishioners in Moscow

Law enforcement officers raided the Church of Scientology on Taganskaya Street in Moscow. Employees of intelligence services received information that in the building of followers Ron Habbarta secretly using a variety of recording devices. It turned out that the Church of Scientology in the room mounted acoustic microphones and video cameras.


In particular, special technical devices found in the rooms, which were conducted personal interviews with people, so-called auditing. This process resembles Scientology confession of the Orthodox Church - the client comes to a counselor (auditor) and tells everyone that he is excited. According to Scientologists, they do not use in auditing suggestion, but research experts suggest that auditing contains a form of hypnosis.

As suggested by the investigators, the Church of Scientology in the recorded conversation with a visitor auditor to later blackmail clients.

- Investigating authorities GSM RF IC in Moscow opened a criminal case on grounds of crime under Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code "Illegal circulation of special technical means." Currently, the complex of investigative actions and operational-search activities, aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the crime and the arrest of persons involved in it. The investigation of the criminal case continues, - commented LifeNews Senior Assistant Head SC GUS Russia in Moscow Yulia Ivanova.

It is worth noting that the searches carried out on Taganskaya Street investigators in conjunction with the control operatives to combat extremism Russian Interior Ministry.

Recall Scientology church in Russia has repeatedly come to the attention of law enforcement officials and representatives of the spiritual community.

Back in the 1990s, the security services have discovered that the followers of Ron Habbarta distributed questionnaires future members of their communities. A detailed study of the state security officers came to the conclusion that these surveys meet all the criteria of a professional intelligence activities.

People exhaustively transpired, not only of their marital status, religious beliefs, interests, level of wealth, but it set clear questions. In particular, if the person was military, the Scientologists established the number of the military unit, its deployment, as well as the location of objects and weapons storage sites.

- Showed signs of destructive totalitarian sect in their activities. Freedom of choice does not provide this sect. To leave the people they simply do not give. That is, people are held constant conversations, why they leave, they call, pressured come members of the sect. Man first persuaded and then it is put in the hard conditions dependent on the basis of the information that has been obtained from the person before - told LifeNews ex-employee of the department for combating organized crime FSB in Moscow and the Moscow region.​

Paul
 

ThetanExterior

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

Google translation of the first article:

The Church of Scientology secretly watched his parishioners in Moscow

Law enforcement officers raided the Church of Scientology on Taganskaya Street in Moscow. Employees of intelligence services received information that in the building of followers Ron Habbarta secretly using a variety of recording devices. It turned out that the Church of Scientology in the room mounted acoustic microphones and video cameras.


In particular, special technical devices found in the rooms, which were conducted personal interviews with people, so-called auditing. This process resembles Scientology confession of the Orthodox Church - the client comes to a counselor (auditor) and tells everyone that he is excited. According to Scientologists, they do not use in auditing suggestion, but research experts suggest that auditing contains a form of hypnosis.

As suggested by the investigators, the Church of Scientology in the recorded conversation with a visitor auditor to later blackmail clients.

- Investigating authorities GSM RF IC in Moscow opened a criminal case on grounds of crime under Art. 138.1 of the Criminal Code "Illegal circulation of special technical means." Currently, the complex of investigative actions and operational-search activities, aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the crime and the arrest of persons involved in it. The investigation of the criminal case continues, - commented LifeNews Senior Assistant Head SC GUS Russia in Moscow Yulia Ivanova.

It is worth noting that the searches carried out on Taganskaya Street investigators in conjunction with the control operatives to combat extremism Russian Interior Ministry.

Recall Scientology church in Russia has repeatedly come to the attention of law enforcement officials and representatives of the spiritual community.

Back in the 1990s, the security services have discovered that the followers of Ron Habbarta distributed questionnaires future members of their communities. A detailed study of the state security officers came to the conclusion that these surveys meet all the criteria of a professional intelligence activities.

People exhaustively transpired, not only of their marital status, religious beliefs, interests, level of wealth, but it set clear questions. In particular, if the person was military, the Scientologists established the number of the military unit, its deployment, as well as the location of objects and weapons storage sites.

- Showed signs of destructive totalitarian sect in their activities. Freedom of choice does not provide this sect. To leave the people they simply do not give. That is, people are held constant conversations, why they leave, they call, pressured come members of the sect. Man first persuaded and then it is put in the hard conditions dependent on the basis of the information that has been obtained from the person before - told LifeNews ex-employee of the department for combating organized crime FSB in Moscow and the Moscow region.​


Paul


Sounds like they understand the fundamentals of scientology.:thumbsup:
 

Gizmo

Rabble Rouser
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

About time that world wide these bastards get busted.

Some look down on the Russians as ' criminals ' but WTF are the US, England or the Aussies on making any such moves against that so called church ?

Kudos to the Russians on this one !
 
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oneonewasaracecar

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

...
People exhaustively transpired, not only of their marital status, religious beliefs, interests, level of wealth, but it set clear questions. In particular, if the person was military, the Scientologists established the number of the military unit, its deployment, as well as the location of objects and weapons storage sites.
...
That's for the quote Paul.

Does anyone have any opinions as to whether or not the bolded section is true ?

I think none of us have any doubt that Scientology does record information to blackmail people, but this claim they have made regarding military units seems unbelievable to me.
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
IT appears the equipment the Church of Scientology uses to record auditing sessions is classified as prohibited surveillance equipment in Russia.

Moscow Scientologists spy equipment seized

http://en.news-4-u.ru/moscow-scientologists-spy-equipment-seized.html

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

Upon withdrawal of special equipment for secret information after the search in one of the capital of religious organizations prosecuted.

«Criminal case on signs of the crime provided by article 138.1 of the criminal code (trafficking of special technical means). According to investigators, the room used by the religious Association, located on Taganskaya street in the city of Moscow were found illegally established objects of the system audio and video surveillance, consisting of acoustic microphones and cameras belonging to the category of special technical means intended for secret information,» reports the website of the Ministry. The searches were conducted jointly with the staff of HOPE MIA.

Source of»Interfax» in law enforcement claims that it is about the investigation into the Church of Scientology, held this year on Taganskaya street. Then Scientologists suspected of fraud with the land.

Recall that in early July Izmajlovsky court of Moscow has recognized lawful the refusal of the Ministry of justice to register the Church of Scientology as a religious organization. Previously part of Scientology materials were recognized as extremist and included in the Federal list of extremist materials.


* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

Leland

Crusader
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

That's for the quote Paul.

Does anyone have any opinions as to whether or not the bolded section is true ?

I think none of us have any doubt that Scientology does record information to blackmail people, but this claim they have made regarding military units seems unbelievable to me.

Well, I don't doubt it at all.

If an auditor was delving into an area of questioning......or on a security check.....sure those questions could be asked...
 
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

That's for the quote Paul.

Does anyone have any opinions as to whether or not the bolded section is true ?

I think none of us have any doubt that Scientology does record information to blackmail people, but this claim they have made regarding military units seems unbelievable to me.

Paranoid, lying organizations interacting. Going to be good to watch.
Will Russian OSA spy on govt and will govt spy (infiltrate) CoS?
 

Panda Termint

Cabal Of One
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

That's for the quote Paul.

Does anyone have any opinions as to whether or not the bolded section is true ?

I think none of us have any doubt that Scientology does record information to blackmail people, but this claim they have made regarding military units seems unbelievable to me.
I, personally, doubt it. In which scientological procedure would that information EVER have relevance? It's just a "worst case scenario" of what might possibly occur, from a military/security/paranoia viewpoint.
 

Leland

Crusader
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

I, personally, doubt it. In which scientological procedure would that information EVER have relevance? It's just a "worst case scenario" of what might possibly occur, from a military/security/paranoia viewpoint.

Well...IMO, it really doesn't have anything to do with relevance....it has to do with looking for W/O and overts....and "charged" areas....

Also could come up on listing.....such as on Grade 0...

But once asked and answered...that info is there, written down in the worksheets...which is as you say...worst case scenario for a military group....govt....or intel agency...

That information is not secure ...at that point.
 

Panda Termint

Cabal Of One
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

Well...IMO, it really doesn't have anything to do with relevance....it has to do with looking for W/O and overts....and "charged" areas....

Also could come up on listing.....such as on Grade 0...

But once asked and answered...that info is there, written down in the worksheets...which is as you say...worst case scenario for a military group....govt....or intel agency...

That information is not secure ...at that point.
Nah, I've audited guys in sensitive gubbmint/military positions (before security-paranoia took full hold of the Eligibility lines). "I'm sorry, I can't discuss the details, generally speaking, it's about .... " was a perfectly acceptable answer to an auditing question.

PS: Have you ever seen an auditing worksheet? They're nowhere near as detailed as some people imagine.
 

Leland

Crusader
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

Nah, I've audited guys in sensitive gubbmint/military positions (before security-paranoia took full hold of the Eligibility lines). "I'm sorry, I can't discuss the details, generally speaking, it's about .... " was a perfectly acceptable answer to an auditing question.

PS: Have you ever seen an auditing worksheet? They're nowhere near as detailed as some people imagine.

Yes, I agree about the worksheet. ( yes I have....)

As to the first part....perhaps in your day....but what about today?

Anyway....today, with Video Cameras and microphones in auditing rooms....??????

Hell....what about something as simple as a "life history"...?
 

Panda Termint

Cabal Of One
Yep. I don't doubt that the Russians concerns are valid but that is, as I said, just a worst-case scenario. As far as I know, you only do Life Histories if you're joining the SO or doing Upper Level shit, there are questions on the Life History which might possibly lead to disclosing sensitive military information except for one simple fact, if you were actually involved in that sort of thing (sensitive work) you wouldn't qualify for either the SO or the Upper Levels by today's Eligibility requirements. :)

PS: Just in regards to the "in your day" question; I was auditing in the CofS as recently as 2008. It has, probably, changed since 2008 but the HCOB on "What Is Required On A Worksheet" still stands.
 

Leland

Crusader
So what about auditing rooms these days, with video cameras...and wired for sound.

Did you experience that Panda?

This has been talked about as happening at INT base...and with celebrities....
 

Panda Termint

Cabal Of One
So what about auditing rooms these days, with video cameras...and wired for sound.

Did you experience that Panda?

This has been talked about as happening at INT base...and with celebrities....
Sure, that's been the standard in Auditing Rooms and Practical Auditing Areas for quite a while (probably early 90s down here).

Something less known about is the bugging/recording of all Reg Offices, Book Store, Conference Rooms and Public Gathering places (OT Committee Meetings etc). Think about that!

(AOSH ANZO even had a mic hidden in a drainpipe outside the building where Crew gathered for their after-meal smoke break/socialising. There's a photo of it here on ESMB somewhere. )
 
Sure, that's been the standard in Auditing Rooms and Practical Auditing Areas for quite a while (probably early 90s down here).

Something less known about is the bugging/recording of all Reg Offices, Book Store, Conference Rooms and Public Gathering places (OT Committee Meetings etc). Think about that!

(AOSH ANZO even had a mic hidden in a drainpipe outside the building where Crew gathered for their after-meal smoke break/socialising. There's a photo of it here on ESMB somewhere. )

That's really "knowing how to know."

The Anabaptist Jacques
 

oneonewasaracecar

Gold Meritorious Patron
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

Nah, I've audited guys in sensitive gubbmint/military positions (before security-paranoia took full hold of the Eligibility lines). "I'm sorry, I can't discuss the details, generally speaking, it's about .... " was a perfectly acceptable answer to an auditing question.

PS: Have you ever seen an auditing worksheet? They're nowhere near as detailed as some people imagine.

I suspected that.

Still, the government in Russia has cracked down on Scientology hard. When the USA did that, Hubbard doubled down and created the guardians office. Maybe this is just Scientology applying the tech.

There are 2 possibilities

1) Scientology has gone way further than you would expect.
2) The Russians are falsifying evidence to justify shutting them down.

I suspect 2 is the case. As much as I hate Scientology, I don't consider this the way to go.
 

mnql1

Patron Meritorious
Moscow-based Church of Scientology allegedly spied on visitors - report

Moscow-based Church of Scientology allegedly spied on visitors - report

Russia Today
August 18, 2015

Police sources say a raid on the Moscow headquarters of the Church of Scientology earlier this year revealed spy equipment installed in reconciliation rooms. A leak claims the recordings could allegedly be used to blackmail parishioners of the church.

Illegal audio and video recording equipment was planted in the headquarters of a religious organization situated on Taganskaya Street in downtown Moscow, says Russia’s Investigative Committee representative Yulia Ivanova.

“As part of criminal action a search was made in the premises occupied by the religious association. The search revealed special technical devices, used for surreptitious obtaining of information, being installed in the personal interview rooms,” Ivanova said, adding that investigation on the issue continues in order to determine who, if anybody, was at fault.

Initial reports about a search being made in the Church of Scientology headquarters in the center of the Russian capital emerged in late January.

LifeNews media outlet reports that a search warrant was issued after police received a tip that a variety of recording devices, including microphones and cameras, had been secretly installed in the Church of Scientology and routinely used by its members.

Technical devices have been allegedly detected in rooms where confidential conversations with people – so-called 'auditing' – took place, LifeNews reported. A?cording to its police sources, Moscow's Church of Scientology recorded interviews between visitors and auditors allegedly to later blackmail the former.

A police source told RIA Novosti that “most probably, the recordings were later analyzed to reveal a ‘touchy subject’ of wealthy visitors and to hold it against them. Possibly also to blackmail, which now is the subject of an investigation.”

<more in the article>
 

Enthetan

Master of Disaster
Re: Russia: Polize seize recording equipment in Moscow org (Aug. 17, 2015)

I, personally, doubt it. In which scientological procedure would that information EVER have relevance? It's just a "worst case scenario" of what might possibly occur, from a military/security/paranoia viewpoint.

I think it's a "shore story" from Russian Security.

What they are REALLY worried about is the chance of people who have "inside" info blabbing what they know about the real state of the Russian economy, details of the sex lives of senior Russians, etc.
 
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