The Scientology organisation was under attack in the Senate yesterday with claims of blackmail, assaults and imprisonments to name a few crimes. The Australian reports this development in full.

Scientology criminal, says senator Nick Xenophon
The Australian, November 18, 2009

"The Church of Scientology is a "criminal organisation" hiding behind religion, the Senate was told last night.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon tabled explosive letters from former Scientology officials and staff alleging a litany of abuses, including coerced abortions, assault, imprisonment, covering up sexual abuse, embezzlement of church funds and blackmail.

Senator Xenophon, who said he had referred the allegations to police, demanded a Senate inquiry into the church. And he questioned the tax-exempt status given to the church, which he said "turns supporters into victims in its pursuit of power and wealth".

"In my view, this is a two-faced organisation," he told the Senate.

"There is the public face of an organisation . . . that claims to offer guidance and support to its followers and there is the private face of an organisation that abuses its followers and viciously targets its critics, and seems largely driven by paranoia.

"Scientology is not a religious organisation; it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious belief."

Senator Xenophon tabled a letter from Perth man Aaron Saxton, in which he admits to torture and blackmail while working for the Church of Scientology in Australia and at its American headquarters between 1989 and 1996...."

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