The prosecution were hoping that the French branches of Scientology would be closed down and that a heavier fine would be imposed, but due to a legal loophole this didn’t happen.
The judge presiding over the case against the Scientologists ruled that the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre and a bookshop should pay a 600,000 Euros fine.
Alain Rosenberg, leader of Scientology in France, received a two-year suspended prison sentence and he was also ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 Euros. Three other top French Scientologists were fined as well.
France does not recognise Scientology as a valid religion but argues that it is a cult that makes large sums of money from its vulnerable victims.
A lawyer representing Scientology in France said that an appeal would be forthcoming against the judge’s verdict.
