Vatican London Property Case: Appeal Trial Commences monday
The VaticanS appeal trial concerning the controversial purchase of a London property is set to begin on Monday, following the initial judgment delivered in December 2023. The trial will see appeals filed by Cardinal Angelo Becciu and several other individuals convicted in the frist instance.
The original trial centered on allegations of financial mismanagement and fraud related to the Vatican’s investment in a luxury London building. Cardinal Becciu, formerly a high-ranking official in the Roman Curia, was acquitted of all charges, but the prosecution has appealed that decision.
Other appellants include financier Enrico Crasso (sentenced to 7 years imprisonment, a €10,000 fine, and permanent disqualification from public office), Raffaele Mincione (5 years and 6 months, €8,000 fine, and permanent disqualification), Fabrizio Tirabassi (7 years, €10,000 fine, and permanent disqualification), Nicola squillace (1 year and 10 months, sentence suspended for 5 years), gianluigi Torzi (6 years, €6,000 fine, permanent disqualification, and one year of special supervision under article 412 of the Penal Code), and Cecilia Marogna (3 years and 9 months, temporary disqualification for the same period).
The initial judgment addressed claims made by Monsignor Alberto Perlasca, and others, regarding potential irregularities. However, the court explicitly stated that this material “did not influence the verdict,” finding that the Tribunal “relied exclusively on multiple factual elements in the record that remained unchallenged, proving duty beyond any reasonable doubt.” The court also deemed some of Perlasca’s claims “without criminal relevance and in any case extraneous to the present trial.”
A critically important point of contention throughout the proceedings has been the series of Rescripts issued by pope Francis during the investigation.These papal interventions altered procedures, granting prosecutors expanded powers.Defense lawyers, notably Luigi Panella representing Enrico crasso, argued that the Rescripts undermined the independence of the Vatican judiciary and the defendants’ rights by allowing the Promoter of Justice discretionary control over document disclosure and redaction.
Despite these concerns, several foreign judicial authorities, including Italy’s Court of Cassation and Switzerland’s Federal criminal Court, “explicitly recognized” the independence of the Vatican judiciary. Prosecutor Diddi maintained the Rescripts ”served to regulate activities otherwise not regulated” and acted “as a safeguard for all those affected.” A March 1, 2022 order by President Pignatone rejected motions to annul the indictments, concluding the Rescripts did not violate legality or the rule of law. The judgment itself affirmed that “the guarantees of a fair trial” were “fully respected by Vatican justice.”
The appeal trial will begin with a summary by the reporting judge,followed by presentations of arguments from each party. While Prosecutor Diddi has also filed an appeal, the Secretariat of State and APSA, who participated as civil parties in the first trial, have not.