Senator Nick Xenophon says Scientology is 'a criminal organisation'

Xenophon calls Scientology "criminal"
Questioned their tax exempt status
Says people have told him of crimes

INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has accused the Church of Scientology of being a criminal organisation.

The South Australian parliamentarian said he had been contacted by a number of former Scientologists, after he questioned the organisation's tax exempt status in a recent television interview.

"They have provided long and detailed letters to me about the workings of this organisation,'' he told the Senate yesterday.

"These people rightly see themselves as victims of Scientology.''

Senator Xenophon said their correspondence implicated the organisation in a range of crimes, including forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, embezzlement of church funds, physical violence, intimidation and blackmail.

"I am deeply concerned about this organisation and the devastating impact it can have on its followers,'' he said.

Senator Xenophon said the Church of Scientology had been convicted of fraud in France and was facing similar charges in Belgium.
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