Moscow Branch Of Scientology Banned

Scientology was banned in Russia after Moscow court deems it "not a religion."

17:05 25 November 2015

A branch of Scientology in Moscow has been banned in Russia after a Moscow court deems it "not a religion." The country's Ministry of Justice argued that since the organisation has registered its name as a US trademark, it cannot operate as a religion.

 

A spokesman for Russia's MoJ said: "The representatives of the Church of Scientology have created many legal conflicts by themselves by restricting the religious freedom through the use of trademarks."

 

Judge Mikhail Kazakov ruled: "The suit filed by the ministry of justice for the liquidation must be enacted.”

 

The Church of Scientology has condemned the court's decision.

 

A spokesman for the Moscow branch said: "When decisions like this are handed down, actually everyone loses, and this decision affects not only the Church of Scientology of Moscow.

 

"This decision is a sign of disease in the justice system."

 

In August, a criminal investigation was carried out after finding hidden microphones and cameras on the church premises in Moscow.

 

The Church of Scientology, which followers include Hollywood celebrities such as Tom Cruise, was founded in the 1950s by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. It currently has eight million members worldwide.