Cardinal Angelo Becciu was previously convicted by a Vatican tribunal for his role in a real estate deal in London that caused millions in losses to the Holy See. He was permanently barred from holding office in the Vatican, forced to pay a fine of 8,000 euros, and sentenced to five years and six months in jail.
The prelate became the first cardinal of the Catholic Church to be convicted by an internal tribunal of the Vatican City State itself. The case became symbolic, reflecting that everyone was equal before the law.
After the historic conviction, Cardinal Becciu’s defenders promised to fight back.
FABIO VIGLIONE
Defense Counsel for Cardinal Becciu
We believe that the trial demonstrated the absolute innocence of the Cardinal, innocence that we believe and sustain. I repeat, it was demonstrated in the course of the trial.
And they seem to have succeeded. The Vatican Court of Appeals has acknowledged that the accused did not have access to all the documentation needed to prepare his defense. This decision does not mean that the first-instance sentence is annulled, but it will be an opportunity for the defense to try to overturn the ruling.
The Court has ordered the Office of the Promoter of Justice to submit, by April 30, all the acts and documents of the investigative proceedings in their complete form. The defense will have until June 15 to examine them. The next hearing has been set for June 22.
The Court of Appeal’s decision does not address whether the accused were guilty or not, but rather focuses on the validity of the procedure itself.
JRB
Trans. CRT
