Clamp-down on Scientology

The state of Bavaria plans to take a tougher stance on the Church of Scientology by increasing state assistance for what it calls victims of the religious organization founded by L. Ron Hubbard. Bavarian Interior Minister Hermann Regensburger has launched proposals that would mobilize state resources to help citizens that have suffered economic or mental damage from Scientology members. The Bavarian state government also plans to continue police observation of the organization. Regensburger has called on the federal government to examine whether to ban Scientology, arguing that it contravened the core values of the German constitution.