Belgium deciding if Scientology to face trial in criminal court

[mnql1]

Translation of a French article posted on January 9, 2014 on the website of the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir:
L’Eglise de Scientologie comparait devant la chambre du conseil

Church of Scientology case under review by the Brussels Council Chamber

Thursday, January 9, 2014

On Thursday, the Brussels Council Chamber began hearing arguments concerning a possible criminal trial of the Scientology movement and a dozen of its members, now 17 years after the first judicial inquiry into this matter began. The federal prosecutor's office wants to prosecute Scientology as a criminal organization and to accuse the suspects of fraud, illegal practice of medicine, violation of privacy laws, and extortion.

The first investigation into the Church of Scientology began in 1997 when several former members filed complaints. Ten years later, the prosecutor's office recommended that twelve persons and two companies, the Belgian branch of the Church of Scientology and the European Office of the Church of Scientology International, be tried in criminal court.

Before this case reached the Council Chamber, a second investigation was launched after a complaint was filed by the Brussels Regional Employment Office (Actiris). The Church of Scientology was suspected of advertising counterfeit job offers. Persons who answered the ads were not awarded a job, but instead found themselves in a kind of volunteer status.

A few months ago, the federal prosecutor's office decided to merge the two investigations. The Council Chamber must now choose which persons and entities would stand trial in criminal court.

The Scientology movement was founded in 1954 by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, and it claims 12 million members in 8,000 churches and 165 countries.

According to the federal prosecutor's office and attorneys, the Council Chamber's proceedings will span about four weeks.

 

[CommunicatorIC]

Translation of a French article posted on January 9, 2014 on the website of the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir:
L’Eglise de Scientologie comparait devant la chambre du conseil

Corrected link: http://www.lesoir.be/398329/article...entologie-comparait-devant-chambre-du-conseil

Link in OP is missing the first "h" of "http".

 

[mnql1]

From Tony Ortega, The Underground Bunker, Saturday, January 11, 2014:

Our man in Europe reports on Belgium’s criminal prosecution of Scientology

Our man in Paris, Jonny Jacobsen, has a report for us on how things are going in Belgium, where federal prosecutors will soon be making an important decision about Scientology in that country. Take it away, Jonny…

A Belgian court has begun considering whether two criminal investigations against Scientology, one dating back as far as 1997, should go to trial — and if so, who should be in the dock.

More in the article:
http://tonyortega.org/2014/01/11/our-man-in-europe-reports-on-belgiums-criminal-prosecution-of-scientology/

 

[mnql1]

Translation of a French article posted on February 13, 2014 on the website of Belgium's French public broadcaster RTBF:
L'Eglise de Scientologie devant la justice belge

Brussels Council Chamber hearings on Church of Scientology nearing conclusion

by Philippe Carlot
Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Brussels Council Chamber is expected to conclude its hearings today into two cases involving the Church of Scientology of Belgium. A dozen of the cult's officials and members and two associations are facing the possibility of a trial in criminal court. Scientology is under suspicion as a criminal organization.

The first case dates back to 1996. It prompted a wide investigation into the conduct of Scientology's activities in Belgium and could result in the conviction of the Church of Scientology of Belgium as a criminal organization. Charges include the illegal practice of medicine and pharmacy, fraud, extortion, and violations of the laws concerning trade practices and the protection of privacy. The accusations are aimed at a dozen individuals and two legal entities.

The second case began in April 2008 after a complaint was filed by the Actiris, the Brussels Regional Employment Office. The Church of Scientology is suspected of advertising counterfeit job offers that were actually intended to recruit new followers.

The investigation was long and difficult, but legal proceedings have proven to be no less fraught with pitfalls. The cult's lawyers have filed countless motions for postponement and further investigation and employed every conceivable and imaginable recourse. They are expected to invoke the statute of limitations, failure to deliver justice within a reasonable time, and problems related to the use of languages.

If today's hearing does turn out to be the last, the Council Chamber will hand down its decision within a month.

 

[mnql1]

Update: On March 13, 2014, the Brussels Council Chamber will hand down its decision regarding whether Scientology is to be prosecuted in criminal court in Belgium.

Source: Scientologie en Chambre du conseil de Bruxelles: décision le 13 mars

 

[JBWriter]

Re: Belgium: Scientology Criminal Trial? - Decision due March 13, 2014

Bumping this thread since the decision whether or not to criminally prosecute Co$/scientology is due in two days' time.


JB <----Just checked to ensure bottle of Veuve Clicquot is properly chilling. #BrutForceAlwaysBestsBruteForce)

 

[mnql1]

The Brussels Council Chamber has postponed until March 27, 2014 its decision on whether the Church of Scientology and a dozen of its members will be tried in criminal court in Belgium. The decision was originally expected on March 13.

Source: Scientologie: la chambre du conseil de Bruxelles rendra sa décision le 27 mars

 

[JBWriter]

The Brussels Council Chamber has postponed until March 27, 2014 its decision on whether the Church of Scientology and a dozen of its members will be tried in criminal court in Belgium. The decision was originally expected on March 13.

Source: Scientologie: la chambre du conseil de Bruxelles rendra sa décision le 27 mars

Thanks for the update, mnql1!

JB - The champagne will stay in the fridge for another 2 wks.
Now, though, practicing Sazerac cocktail-making in anticipation of Judge Waldrip's ruling in the next 7 days or so re: Anti-SLAPP Motions to Dismiss.
(I don't drink as a general rule, but certain celebrations require extra-special libations.)

 

[JBWriter]

Re: Belgium deciding if Scientology to face trial in criminal court - Decision Due

The Brussels Council Chamber has postponed until March 27, 2014 its decision on whether the Church of Scientology and a dozen of its members will be tried in criminal court in Belgium. The decision was originally expected on March 13.

Source: Scientologie: la chambre du conseil de Bruxelles rendra sa décision le 27 mars

Bump... because the decision is expected tomorrow.

JB

 

[lotus]

Belgium and France always, in the past, gave a rough time to the pseudo church!

I expect the same to come!

Thank you for the news!

 

[Type4_PTS]

Re: Belgium deciding if Scientology to face trial in criminal court - Decision Due

Bump... because the decision is expected tomorrow.

It's 1:00 a.m. in Brussels as I write this so hopefully by noon EST time on Thurs we'll hear some news.

 

[JBWriter]

Re: Belgium deciding if Scientology to face criminal charges - Decision Due March 27

It's 1:00 a.m. in Brussels as I write this so hopefully by noon EST time on Thurs we'll hear some news.

I sure hope so, too, Type4_PTS.

The original deadline was March 13, and the Belgian authorities announced on that date that they needed another 2 weeks.
So, we might only learn that they need a bit more time. :confused2:

I think, delayed decision or not, the authorities will decide to prosecute some, not all, of the cases currently under review.

JB

 

[Type4_PTS]

Re: Belgium deciding if Scientology to face criminal charges - Decision Due March 27

The original deadline was March 13, and the Belgian authorities announced on that date that they needed another 2 weeks.

March 13th is Hubbard's birthday.

Maybe they didn't want to spoil his party on Target Two?

 

[JBWriter]

Re: Belgium deciding if Scientology to face criminal court - Decision Made - YES!

An early news report (from the news agency Belga) says that the decision to prosecute has been made by Belgian authorities.

The Belgian branch of scientology and 10 individual members will face criminal charges.

Link to article here: http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/politiek_...verschijnt_voor_strafrechter.9483131-3136.art

Champagne, anyone?

JB (I'll try and find more articles to obtain details.)

 

[JBWriter]

Re: Belgium To Prosecute Scientology As A Criminal Orginization? Yes!

Confirmed -- here's another link to a story with additional details: http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=dmf20140327_01043367

The Belgian authorities decided that enough evidence exists so that Federal prosecutors in Belgium may now bring criminal charges against 2 groups + 10 individuals.

Groups: "Church of Scientology of Belgium" + "European Office For Public Affairs & Human Rights of the Church of Scientology International"

Against the groups, prosecutors now have authority to prove them to be criminal organizations, a legal determination which would jeopardize the groups' tax-exempt status in that country.

Against individuals, prosecutors now have authority to seek charges alleging illegal scams, practicing medicine illegally, breaches of privacy laws, and extortion.

From what I can read (and my Dutch isn't fabulous) the decision means that the investigative files have been pored over and, having sifted through everything, the empaneled authorities decided enough evidence exists to refer the matter directly to the criminal court system.
Actual criminal charges have not been lodged at this point -- that task is left to the prosecutors within the criminal court system.

It's unclear whether the decision to refer the matters to the criminal court system is something Co$ can appeal or not.

JB

 

[PannonPan]

YES YES YES

 

[mnql1]

Translation of a French article by the Belga News Agency posted on Thursday, March 27, 2014:
Dix membres de la Scientologie renvoyés en correctionnelle

Ten Scientology members to stand trial in criminal court

Belga News Agency
Thursday, March 27, 2014

The Brussels Council Chamber has decided that two associations with ties to the Scientology movement and ten of their members are to stand trial in criminal court.

The federal prosecutor's office is calling the Church of Scientology a criminal organization and is charging the defendants with fraud, illegal practice of medicine, and non-compliance with privacy protection laws. The very first investigation concerning the Church of Scientology began in 1997 after several former members filed complaints. Ten years later, the prosecutor's office ordered a criminal trial for twelve persons and two associations, the Belgian branch of the Church of Scientology and the European Office of the Church of Scientology International.

Before the Council Chamber could give decide whether this case should proceed to trial, a second investigation was initiated following a complaint by the Brussels Regional Employment Office (Actiris). The Church of Scientology was suspected of advertising counterfeit job offers. The persons who answered the offers did not obtain a job, but instead were hired under a type of volunteer status.

A few months ago, the federal prosecutor's office decided to merge the two cases. The Council Chamber ruled that the statute of limitations has run out for the charges against one of the defendants and that a second suspect should be transferred because his language is English. The ten other members and the two associations will be put on trial, but they may appeal this decision.

The Scientology movement was founded in 1954 by American science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard and claims 12 million members and 8,000 churches in 165 countries.

 

[secretiveoldfag]

This is going to have repercussions world-wide. It has already influenced the government of Mexico to refuse religious status for the cult.

Good for Belgium. But it is in many ways a surprising place.

I believe the cult's lawyers will find it difficult to climb out of this hole.

 

[dchoiceisalwaysrs]

This is fabulous news.

I offer to lead 'operation Chocolate Waffles' and move into the records department of the Belgium authorities before the Tom Cruise mission Snow White and 'French missing court files' miracles are performed. Anyone wishing to join me can meet me at 3am in my Euro_BI office. Bring your own photo copy paper and Blackberries as Davey is no longer supplying them, also recording devices and lock picks. Sorry, but if you have ever had any business dealings with the State of Texas or Baby sat Lisa Mcpherson at the Flag land base we will have to send you on a different overseas mission.

Hatting requirements: list of 44 lawyers vouched for by Wheephuckem and Howe
optional: offshore accounts with only properly laundered funds to be used for order-in pizza to be delivered behind prison bars.

ML Tick Tok

phone HCOPL 21 Oct 1968

 

[CommunicatorIC]

Belgium will try two Scientology organizations and 10 Scientologists for fraud

Tony Ortega: Belgium will try two Scientology organizations and 10 Scientologists for fraud
http://tonyortega.org/2014/03/27/be...rganizations-and-10-scientologists-for-fraud/

Excerpts:

Breaking news from our man in Paris, Jonny Jacobsen, who tells us that Belgian prosecutors finally announced their decision in a criminal case that has been a long time coming. Here’s Jonny’s report…

A court in Belgium on Thursday has sent two Scientology organisations and at least 10 Scientologists for trial, the Belga news agency reports.

More detail from Jonny: Prosecutors are targeting the Church of Scientology in Belgium and its Brussels-based European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights.

Since federal prosecutors have characterised the movement as a criminal organisation, this means — in theory at least — that it could be banned in Belgium if convicted, according to Belgian press reports.

All those sent for trial have 15 days in which to lodge an appeal and Scientology has already made it clear that it will fight all the way.