This translation of an article from Le Nouvel Observateur should be
pretty close. I'm only posting it on a.r.s. Feel free to repost or
pass along wherever you think appropriate.
SCIENTOLOGY
"A devoted brother who wanted to help his mentally disturbed sister"
On January 21 this year, in Nuoro (Sardinia), the Italian police were
alerted by neighbors and found Frenchwoman Martine Boublil locked in a
house, living in deplorable sanitary conditions. Found half naked, she
slept on a mattress infested with vermin, according to the local
police. She was guarded by three Scientologists. Since the police
suspected she was being held against her will, they arrested and then
released them. Her brother, Dr. Claude Boublil, who is also a member
of Scientology, traveled there with them. In an interview in Paris,
Martine Boublil -- also a member of Scientology several years ago --
claimed to have been "imprisoned," claiming that her brother had
"taken her by force" to the house. After being hospitalized in a
psychiatric facility, Martine Boublil returned to Paris on Tuesday,
March 4.
For the first time, in an exclusive interview, Dr. Claude Boublil
denies that his sister was kidnapped, and wishes to correct this
matter, which he considers to be "a family drama".
How - and why - was your sister found in Sardinia?
-- We have to go back a few steps. I am a doctor, and my sister
Martine had to undergo two psychiatric hospitalizations in the Paris
region. She asked me to get her out of the hospital. I put a lot of
research into alternatives to help her out of this dilemma, since
hospitalization was unsuccessful. Despite doing a lot of work, I was
unable to find a genuine alternative resource in France that was
likely to help us. Therefore, it was my duty to find a solution,
especially since my sister had always refused recommendations of
hospitalization, and preferred to stay with me. I needed to find a
place in the countryside, in the open air, far from the disturbances
of the city where Martine could have long walks, rest and sleep well.
My task was not always easy because Martine believed that her toilet
and bathroom were poisoned, and she would not let anyone approach or
touch her bedding, clothing or belongings. Sardinia was recommended by
friends who found a place in the mountains in a beautiful environment.
Why Sardinia? Who owns this house?
-- This is a vacation home that I rented. It's in a holiday resort in
the midst of many other homes in a wooded nature park. Specifically,
at this location, I managed to find a "doctor" who had the skills
necessary to help a person like my sister who suffers from a
delusional, paranoid psychosis. It is a light therapy that is totally
opposed to the brutality of the psychiatric treatments that my sister
rejected.
You were accompanied by four others: Marie D. 42, Julien Q., 18,
Rasheed K. 18, and Daniel B. Why so many people, and by chance, all
members of Scientology?
-- Because caring for someone as delirious as my sister requires
constant vigilance and a permanent presence. We went by car, all
three, Julien, Rachid and Daniel. We had sent Marie by plane. Why are
they all members of Scientology? Like myself for over 30 years? Simply
because they were friends from Scientology!
They must have been really motivated to take on such an adventure.
-- Yes. I looked for people who I was confident could help me in such
a difficult, complex task.
But, your sister accuses you of having kidnapped her?
-- I have never heard that said. Also, the house was open to the full
view of everyone. There was never the slightest idea of hiding
anything during our trip by boat and car. In Genoa, we were even
questioned by the Italian police. Seeing the obvious signs of my
sister's agitation, they brought in an ambulance with a psychiatrist.
My sister told them she wanted to continue the journey with me to
Sardinia. Where is the isolation?
What was your role in this case?
-- The role of a dedicated brother who wants to help his mentally
disturbed sister, who specifically asked to leave those psychiatric
hospitals on several occasions.
Your attitude fits well with Scientology beliefs of combating
psychiatry with total force, doesn't it?
-- I'm a doctor myself. I know the consequences of certain psychiatric
practices, and I wanted to avoid those failed treatments. So I tried
to find a more gentle alternative for my sister. I know from my
experience as a Scientologist that there are alternatives to forced
hospitalization. Unfortunately, I see that my attempt has obviously
failed, because she was again put into a psychiatric hospital in
France.
But your sister says she was living in hell, that she could not get
out of her room upstairs, she slept on a mattress on the floor, she
relieved herself in a basin, and that she couldn't bathe....
-- It's easy to understand when you know, as I do, that my sister felt
she was being persecuted; it was her terror of germs. She thought any
garment given to her was poisoned, as well as her toilet, her bidet,
the sink, the shower, in short everything around her. She even refused
to let anyone near her bed. And she had a beautiful bathroom!
Your sister came to the Church of Scientology in 1978 when she was 18
years old. She said it was you who encouraged her in this path. She
stayed there eight years. Why did she leave?
-- It was her own decision. In Scientology we come and leave as we
please. But I remember that she was very happy when she was there.
It is said that you are one of the ringleaders of Scientology in
France, that you are a "Thetan Level VIII", the highest current grade
of Scientology, and an official of Celebrity Center in Paris. Aren't
there are only a dozen French people who have reached that level?
-- False. I have no position in the Church of Scientology Celebrity
Center or in Paris. I am just a parishioner. We should not confuse
everything. The level I have reached is "OT 8" and not "Thetan 8."
This is a level of spiritual awareness. It is not a hierarchy in
Scientology.
The case has made the front page of all the Italian newspapers and
there have been many news reports. And the Italian investigators
questioned you, right? What about France?
-- Since the Italian justice has been informed about this matter, it
seems to be better understood. It is only a personal matter between me
and my sister that has been highly publicized for other reasons during
the same week as the resurgence of controversy about Scientology in
France. The media uproar about this affair can only be harmful to my
sister's health. My lawyers are currently considering the possibility
of prosecution for invasion of privacy and defamation.
Where is your sister now? Have you seen her?
-- I know she was taken to the St. Anne psychiatric hospital Tuesday
night when she returned to France. She phoned me several times to ask
me to get her out of that hospital. She left a message on my answering
machine.
What said this message?
-- (He rises to let us listen to the recording, a voice that is frail
but determined). It says:: "Claude, what I would like is for you to
take me in with you. I love you all very much... I never complained...
This is not true..."
Interview with Dr. Claude Boublil by par Alain Chouffan
(Thursday, March 6, 2008)
----
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualit ... ment_.html
Login
Register
OCMB FAQ
FAQ
Search
of OCMB France at the story which has invaded the media here today.
). I also heard a good piece on the same story on France Info, the national rolling-news station (which means I actually heard it several times - the gridlock round Paris was depressingly impressive).
