Russia Bans Scientology Writings

Russia has banned works by the father of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, after "psychiatrists, psychologists, and sociologists" determined that literature and multimedia sent from the U.S. and intercepted by Russian prosecutors were "undermining the traditional spiritual values of the citizens of the Russian Federation." The ruling is consistent with a controversial law cracking down on systems of belief that are not traditionally Russian. The law holds that those who possess extremist material can be fined 3,000 rubles ($100) or jailed for up to 15 days. Last year, two Scientology branches successfully sued Russia for refusing to classify the church as a religious group on the basis that it hadn't existed in the country for 15 years.