French Scientologists sentenced for fraud

Christian Century, Dec 15, 1999

A former French Scientology official has been sentenced to two years in prison for fraud, along with four other Scientologists who received suspended sentences of six months to two years. Xavier Delamare, who formerly headed the controversial church's branch in the southern French city of Marseille, was sentenced November 15 in connection with a ten-year-old case in which he and the other four were found guilty of operating sham "purification" courses between 1987 and 1990.

Like others, Delamare will not go to prison since 18 months of his sentence were suspended and he was credited with six months for time served in connection with the case in 1990. He was also fined $1,700.

The French government and Scientology have long been at odds. The government includes the Los Angeles-based church on a list of religious groups it tracks as potentially dangerous cults. Scientology accuses the government of religious discrimination and dismissed the court decision as "politically motivated."

Delamare and the other Scientologists were accused of organizing purification courses costing between $2,000 and $25,000 that involved sauna sessions, physical exercise and taking large doses of vitamins. Earlier charges involving the alleged illegal practice of medicine and premeditated violence were dropped. --RNS