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Scientology case papers destroyed
The Daily Telegraph, Thursday 9 September 1999
by Julian Nundy in Paris
The French justice minister yesterday promised a full inquiry into the destruction of more than three tons of documents, including evidence collected for a trial of officials of the Church of Scientology of Marseilles.
The destruction of the documents, the second of its kind involving legal documents relating to Scientology in France in the past two years, was reported in by Liberation newspaper.
According to court officials, the evidence was accidentally destroyed.
Announcing the inquiry, Elisabeth Guigou, the Socialist justice minister, said yesterday: "I want all the truth. Was it a mistake? Was it sabotage?"
Seven regional officials of the Church of Scientology in Provence are due to go on trial on Sept 20 for "embezzlement, illegal practice of medicine and violence with premeditation".
Danielle Gounord, spokesman for the church, denied that her organisation was responsible for destroying the documents.
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