Australian senator brands Scientology a 'criminal organisation'

An Australian senator, Nick Xenophon, has branded the Church of Scientology a 'criminal organisation' and called for a government inquiry into its practices.

By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
Daily Telegraph
Published: 11:12AM GMT 18 Nov 2009

Mr Xenophon, an Independent senator from South Australia, used parliamentary privilege to detail a host of serious allegations against the church made by former members.

Among them were claims that the Church of Scientology engaged in extensive criminal activity, including assault; imprisonment; the covering up of sexual abuse; embezzlement of church funds and blackmail. It was also claimed that the church had exerted pressure on some members to undergo abortions.

"Scientology is not a religious organisation; it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," Mr Xenophon told the senate.

"The letters received by me which were written by former followers in Australia contains extensive allegations of crimes and abuses that are truly shocking - crimes against them, and crimes they say they were coerced into committing.

(Original here.)