Vatican trial prosecutors concede case defects, willing to investigate more
Trial begins at the Vatican for 10 people, including prominent Italian cardinal Angelo Becciu, who are charged with financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of office, at the Vatican on Jul 27, 2021. (Photo: Vatican Media via REUTERS)
VATICAN CITY: The prosecution at a Vatican trial of 10 people accused of financial crimes, including a cardinal, acknowledged on Tuesday (Oct 5) weaknesses in its case and said it was willing to return to the investigative phase to fill in gaps contested by the defence.
Deputy prosecutor Alessandro Diddi made the surprise announcement at the first hearing since the trial started in July, saying: "I feel the duty to meet (the defence requests) half-way."
Court president Giuseppe Pignatone adjourned the trial after about two hours, saying he would announce his decision on that and other motions on Wednesday.
The most prominent of the defendants is Cardinal Angelo Becciu, a once powerful Vatican official.
The trial revolves mostly around the purchase by the Vatican's Secretariat of State of a building in one of London's smartest districts.
The prosecution has accused Becciu, other former Vatican officials or employees involved in the deal, and outside middlemen, of embezzlement, abuse of office, and fraud, among other charges. All have denied wrongdoing.
Pope Francis fired Becciu from his last Vatican post in 2020 for alleged nepotism, which he also has denied.
