On Sun, 22 May 2005 20:02:53 +0200, "roger gonnet" <rg@antisectes.net> wrote:

>http://www.tagi.ch/dyn/news/zuerich/500427.html

Google translation for English speaking users:
http://tinyurl.com/8ukb3
Zurich - Monday, 23 May 2005
Acquittal for ex-Scientologen

A former coworker from Scientology sect was acquitted definitely by the reproach of the tried extortion in relation to the Scientology sect church.

According to the indictment the 40-jaehrige ex-Dianetiker is to have tried to extort the president of the association Scientology sect Zurich: It therefore required more than 600'000 Franconia for the renouncement to publish critical information about the religious community in the InterNet.

During the erstinstanzlichen evaluation in past October the district court Zurich came to an acquittal. In accordance with the judge no criminally relevant behavior could be proven. Against the judgment the Scientology sect church inserted appointment.

Appointment requests without reason withdrawn

This withdrew now however its appointment requests, as inhabitant of Zurich communicated the upper court today. Thus for coming Tuesday the planned appointment process does not take place. The reasons for the retreat of the Scientology sect are not well-known.

The presumed extortion is to have itself to course-carry in the summer 2003. After a charge of the Scientologen the district bar demanded a conditioned term of imprisonment of 14 days. On the other hand the Scientology sect lawyer required five months prison. The former coworker of Scientology sect called itself as innocent and explained, it had wanted to only annoy the president (raa/sda)

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ACQUITTAL FOR FORMER SCIENTOLOGIST

A former employee of Scientology has been completely acquitted on a charge of attempted blackmail of the Church of Scientology.

According to the charge, the 40-year old former Dianeticist had attempted to blackmail the president of the Scientology association of Zürich. He had allegedly demanded more than 600,000 Swiss franks for not publishing critical information about the cult on the internet.

During the proceedings in first instance last October, the Zürich local court came to an acquittal. According to the judge, no criminal conduct had been proven. The Church of Scientology appealed against this verdict.

APPEAL WITHDRAWN WITHOUT EXPLANATION

The Church has now withdrawn its appeal, as the Zürich superior court announced today. This means that the appeal trial, scheduled for next Tuesday, won't take place. The grounds for Scientology's withdrawal are unknown.

The alleged blackmail was supposed to have taken place in the summer of 2003. After a complaint from Scientology, the local prosecutor's office demanded a suspended sentence of 14 days. The attorney for Scientology demanded a jail sentence of five months. The former employee of Scientology pleaded innocent, and stated that he had only intended to annoy the president.

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