PARIS: A court yesterday convicted the French branch of the Church of Scientology of organised fraud. The Scientology Celebrity Centre and a related bookshop in Paris were fined a total of €650,000 ($1 million).

The court did not restrict the church's activities in France.

Spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology Danielle Gounord speaks to the media after the hearing. Credit:Reuters

''No one recruited or sold for their own benefit, it was all for the organisation,'' said Judge Sophie-Helene Chateau. ''It is more expedient to punish with a large fine and by alerting future members with widespread publication of the ruling.''

The case stemmed from complaints by two women that the church harassed them to buy products including vitamins and enrol in classes. An investigating judge sent the group to trial against the recommendations of the Paris prosecutor.