Church of Scientology faces legal action

Paris - The Church of Scientology will be tried in a French court for "organised fraud", legal sources said on Monday.

Founded in the United States in 1954 by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the church was officially recognised as a religion there nearly 20 years later.

But it is often accused in France and other European countries, including Belgium, Germany and Greece, of exploiting its members financially.

Hollywood A-listers including Tom Cruise and John Travolta are recognised Scientologists.