Scientology Leader Is Acquitted of Conspiracy

A Spanish court acquitted the American leader of the Church of Scientology of conspiracy and other charges, ending a case dating to 1988.

In December, the Madrid Provincial Court had acquitted 15 members and employees of the Spanish branch of Scientology who had been charged along with church leader the Rev. Heber C. Jentzsch.

The court said in December there was no evidence to support prosecutors' allegations that drug rehabilitation and other programs sponsored by the Church of Scientology in Spain amounted to illicit gatherings aimed at activities such as bilking people out of money.