Scientology center stays open in Moscow. The court dismissed an appeal by prosecutors seeking to shut down a Russian office of the Los Angeles-based Church of Scientology. They are having problems in France. The French leader believes all sects including Baptists are a threat to French spiritual beliefs.

In Clearwater there is a hung jury over a misdemeanor marijuana case. Everyone things Church of Scientology critic was set up. An illegal marijuana plant was found at Jesse Prince's home. Prince was a former high ranking official of the church. Evidence showed that private detectives working for the church shadowed Prince for months before succeeding in having him charged by Largo police with growing a marijuana plant on his deck. The church testified that it wants Prince exposed as a drug user because he has testified against the church on numerous occasions.. Pinellas County Judge Andrews declared a mistrial and said a new trial will be set at a future hearing. Attorney Wardell, who prosecuted the case, said it is too soon to say if her office will try again to convict Prince. (41) The Tampa Tribune, August 9, 2001