Church of Scientology Moscow branch 'dissolved' by court Published duration 23 November 2015

image copyright AFP image caption Scientology originates in the US but has branches in many countries, including here in Quebec

A Russian court has ruled that the Moscow branch of the Church of Scientology should be dissolved.

The Moscow city court accepted the arguments of Russia's justice ministry that as the term "Scientology" is a registered US trademark, the Church cannot be considered a religious organisation.

The organisation plans to appeal, reports said.

The court set a six-month timescale for the Church to close, the ministry said.

Created by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in 1954 and based in Los Angeles, California, the Church of Scientology has generated controversy around the world.

Critics say that it is a cult and that it scams its members, while supporters maintain that it provides spiritual support to its followers.