US EditionVatican appeals court declares mistrial in the ‘trial of the century’ against a cardinal
The appeals court found procedural errors and unpublished papal decrees compromised the initial indictment, ordering full evidence disclosure and a new trial starting June 22.
- On Tuesday, the Vatican appeals tribunal declared a mistrial in the Holy See's 'trial of the century,' delivering a major setback to Pope Francis and Vatican prosecutors.
- The appeals court found procedural errors that nullified the original indictment, including a papal decree that was not published, requiring a new trial.
- Defense teams argued that prosecutors redacted documents and withheld a key witness's cellphone records, and defence lawyers only learned of four secret papal decrees just before the trial began.
- The tribunal ordered prosecutors to deposit all documentation in their original form by April 30 and gave defense teams until June 15 to prepare motions before the June 22 trial.
- The case involves a Vatican appeals court declaring a mistrial, citing procedural errors including an unpublished papal decree, in the investigation of a 350 million euro London property and extortion allegations involving bishops and monsignors, with defendants including a former Vatican cardinal maintaining innocence.
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82 Articles
Three years ago, in 2023, Giovanni Angelo Becciu became the first cardinal convicted by a Vatican criminal court. The man, who was one of the most powerful officials of the Holy See and who aspired to be pope, was found guilty of financial crimes: fraud, embezzlement of funds, abuse of power, money laundering and extortion. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison. Becciu was head of the cabinet of Pope Francis and the case became “th…
Becciu says hopes complete innocence recognized soon
Cardinal Angelo Becciu said a day after a Vatican appeals court ordered his retrial for alleged financial wrongdoing in connection with property including a luxury flat on Sloane Avenue in London that he hoped that now his complete innocence would be prove... (ANSA)
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