Scientologists Sue Belgian Authorities Over Tax Evasion Claims

by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels

03 December 2001

According to reports, the Church of Scientology is to sue the Belgian state over allegations that it is a 'dangerous sect', and that it has committed tax evasion, fraud, and forgery.

At issue is a report, drawn up by the Belgian authorities four years ago following accusations of brainwashing and shady financial dealings made by a former Scientologist. However, although an investigation into the allegations is ongoing, with several tonnes of papers and membership files still to be examined, the movement feels that it has been unfairly victimised, and has lodged a lawsuit against the Belgian government for symbolic damages of one euro.

In its claims, the organisation cited the European Convention on human rights, arguing that it is a genuine religious minority, and that the tax evasion and other allegations represent discrimination and persecution.

Martin Weightman, who heads the Church of Scientology's European human rights office, commented last week on the study that triggered it all: 'The report was done without any possibility to respond, the list was arbitrary and the terminology used was discriminatory,' he claimed. 'It poisoned the social climate.'

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