The Church of Scientology is afraid of critics. That is why the cult, which fears that its practices of medical quackery will be exposed, engages in hate and harassment activities — such as their campaign against Keith Henson.

Keith Henson, an avid critic of the Church of Scientology, faces extradition to California — and a possible jail sentence in what likely will be yet another public relations dissaster for the cult.

A judge on Friday denied Scientology critic Howard Keith Henson’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus his attorney filed challenging Henson’s extradition to California on a governor’s warrant. However, the judge let him stay in Arizona until Monday so a higher court can review the lower court decision.

Howard Keith Henson, an avid critic of the Church of Scientology, will remain in the Yavapai County Jail on a governor’s warrant without bond at least until noon Monday.

People familiar with the Church of Scientology know that the cult has a lengthy history of unethical behavior. This includes targeting critics of the alleged religion with hate and harassment activities. One of their favorite targets is Keith Henson.

A Scientology protester who fled to Canada before he could be sentenced to 180 days in county jail in 2001 has been arrested in Arizona and will be extradited back to Riverside County, officials reported.

A Silicon Valley figure who fled the country after being convicted in part because of a Usenet joke about Tom Cruise and Scientology has been arrested in Arizona.

Henson’s troubles began in 2001 when he was convicted of interfering with a religion, a misdemeanor under California law, for picketing outside Scientology’s facility in Hemet, CA. He eventually fled to Canada after receiving a number of death threats. He was deported in 2005 after his asylum bid was rejected.

Keith Henson -- the anti-Scientologist engineer who ran to Canada from foes in the U.S. -- lost his fight to stay in this country last week.