National Church of Scientology Recognized in Spain

the National Court in Madrid issued a landmark
decision affirming the right to religious freedom in Spain by
recognizing that the National Church of Scientology of Spain should be
entered in the Registry of Religious Entities.

"This recognition marks the end of an
era in which Spanish Scientologists were forced to fight for their
rights to religious freedom. It vindicates the Church of Scientology
and is a new beginning for all Spanish Scientologists," said Ivan
Arjona, spokesperson for the National Church of Scientology in Spain.

The National Court thoroughly examined
the Church's formative documents and aims and purposes to unequivocally
determine that the National Church of Scientology of Spain has the
right to be registered as a religion under Spanish law.

In reaching this decision, the National Court also relied on decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, most notably the Human Rights Court's unanimous decision of April 2007 affirming that the Church of Scientology
is entitled to the rights and protections of religious freedom that
flow to religious organizations pursuant to Article 9 of the European
Human Rights Convention. The principles enunciated in that decision
upheld the religious freedom of Scientologists and their religious
associations and apply throughout the forty-seven member states that
have signed and ratified the European Human Rights Convention for the
Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

"This is the culmination of a series of
landmark victories for the Church of Scientology in Europe. Thanks to
this recognition, we are now able to devote all our effort and
attention to making our community and our country the best it can be,
for all its people. The National Court's decision is extremely
significant because it constitutes the latest official recognition of
the Church of Scientology as a religious organization in Europe. It
mandates that Scientologists and their religious associations be
afforded the same rights and privileges as members of other registered
religious organizations throughout the European Community and in the
European Union." Arjona said.

In September 2004, the National Church of Scientology of Spain
opened grand new premises in the heart of Madrid. That new Scientology
church represents not only a house of worship for the thousands of
Scientologists in the country, but a resource to the community and
nation at large. The Church's social betterment programs reach millions
of people every year.

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard.
The first church was established in the United States in 1954. Since
then, it has grown to more than 7,500 churches, missions and groups and
ten million members in 163 nations.

Scientology first came to Spain in the late 1960s.