BBC Monitoring European - Political
8.5.2000 Text of report in English by the Hungarian news agency MTI Budapest, 8th May: The book "Hungary in the (Cob)Web of Scientology"

by Andras Veer and Laszlo Eroess was presented at a news conference in Budapest on Monday [8th May], amid a heated debate between opponents and supporters of scientology.

Veer, a psychiatrist, said the book was not for the police but for the public, and it depends on the authorities if they draw any conclusions from it. But he added they are ready to make the documents in their possession available to the authorities. Readers can learn about L. Ron Hubbard, the by-now infamous founder of Scientology, and about his followers. The materials present Hungarian cases, all supported by documents, he said.

Veer repeatedly calls attention to what he considers the dangers of this religion, which is attempting to cover all of society through education, health and economics. He claims that followers of Scientology can already be found in highly prestigious economic institutions, and among public officials.

He mentioned that the volume lists 129 "scientology companies" by name, though there may be as many as 300 in Hungary. Other companies connected to the ones listed, owned by scientologists, may be around 600 within Hungary.

The Church of Scientology is a registered small church in Hungary that does not receive state support. It has about 10,000 open followers within the country, and about 8m throughout the world.

Go Back