The matter ended up on the desk of examining magistrate Michel Claise, who ordered raids on Church of Scientology premises in 2008. During the raids police managed to seize a wealth of evidence.

The daily De Tijd claims that the Belgian judicial authorities are now seeking a strong condemnation that can serve as an international precedent. Several years ago the organisation was convicted in France on fraud charges.

The Church of Scientology has its European headquarters in Brussels. Its Belgian HQ is located in Mechelen. In Belgium the Church whose members internationally include the actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta is not recognised as a faith. Up to 500 people are believed to be active in the Church here.