Cardinal is convicted of embezzlement in big Vatican financial trial, sentenced to 5½ years

In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through the Vatican, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal ever prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, has been found guilty of embezzlement. The Vatican tribunal, which concluded a 2 ½ year trial, has sentenced him to 5 ½ years in prison. This verdict is part of a complex financial trial that has exposed the inner workings of the city-state and tested its judicial system.

It is worth noting that Cardinal Becciu was absolved of several other charges, while nine other defendants received a mix of guilty verdicts and acquittals among the nearly 50 charges brought against them in this extensive trial. Becciu’s lawyer, Fabrizio Viglione, has expressed his respect for the sentence but intends to appeal the decision.

The Vatican prosecutor, Alessandro Diddi, has described this outcome as a validation of their case. Cardinal Becciu, who had attended nearly all 86 hearings, has consistently maintained his innocence. His presence in court is noteworthy as Pope Francis had compelled his resignation and stripped him of his cardinal privileges before formal charges were even filed.

This trial has not only raised questions about the rule of law within the Vatican but has also sparked discussions about the extent of Pope Francis’ authority, as he holds supreme legislative, executive, and judicial power within the Vatican. The defense has argued that this concentration of power could potentially compromise the fairness of the trial.

While defense attorneys have praised Judge Giuseppe Pignatone’s impartiality and the opportunity to present their case adequately, they have lamented the outdated procedural norms within the Vatican legal system, which they claim have given prosecutors significant leeway in their investigation.

This complex financial trial revolves around the Vatican’s 350 million euro investment in a luxury London property. Prosecutors allege that Vatican officials and brokers siphoned tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions from this investment and then extorted the Holy See for an additional 15 million euros to relinquish control of the property.

Prosecutors have brought nearly 50 charges, including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, corruption, abuse of office, and extortion, seeking prison sentences ranging from three to 13 years and damages exceeding 400 million euros to recover the estimated 200 million euros lost by the Holy See in these financial dealings.

Initially seen as a move to reform Vatican finances and address alleged financial misconduct, this trial has, ironically, damaged the Holy See’s reputation, revealing vendettas, espionage, and ransom payments to Islamic militants. The Vatican’s secretariat of state is now seeking damages to repair the harm to its reputation caused by these revelations.

In conclusion, the conviction of Cardinal Becciu and the outcomes of this complex financial trial have cast a spotlight on the intricacies of the Vatican’s legal system and the challenges associated with pursuing justice within the city-state. The repercussions of this trial will likely reverberate within the Vatican for some time to come.

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More about Vatican Financial Scandal

• Vatican convicts Cardinal Becciu of embezzlement
• Vatican financial scandal: A comprehensive overview
• Pope Francis’ role in the Vatican trial
• Impact of the trial on the Vatican’s reputation