The criminal trial begins

This morning, at 10:30am, at the Tribunal of the Vatican City State, the first hearing began in the criminal trial of Monsignor Lucio Vallejo Balda, Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, Nicola Maio, Emiliano Fittipaldi and Gianluigi Nuzzi, accused of criminal offences related to the disclosure of confidential information and documents.

The defendants were all present, accompanied by their respective lawyers: Emanuela Bellardini for Monsignor Vallejo Balda; Agnese Camilli for Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui; Rita Claudia Baffioni for Nicola Maio; Lucia Musso for Emiliano Fittipaldi; and Roberto Palombi for Gianluigi Nuzzi.

However, the prosecuting party (The Holy See) was not represented.

The Judicial College was made up of Professor Giuseppe Della Torre, acting as President; as well as Professor Piero Antonio Bonnet, Judge; Professor Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, Judge; and Professor Venerando Marano, Deputy Judge.

The Office of Promotor of Justice was represented by the Promotor: Professor Gian Piero Milano, and by an Associate Promotor: Professor Roberto Zamotti.

Following the reading of the charges by the Chancellor, the President announced that he had forwarded to the President of the Court of Appeals a request for the appointment of two additional lawyers trusted by Mister Nuzzi and by Monsignor Vallejo Balda, subject to eventual authorization.

Two preliminary objections were then heard, presented by Ms. Bellardini concerning the timing for the submission of evidence to the defence, and - following a declaration by Emiliano Fittipaldi - by Ms. Musso concerning the nullity of the subpoena for the same Mister Fittipaldi due to a lack of precisions related to the alleged offences.

The Promotor of Justice, in the person of Professor Zannotti, responded to the second objection, arguing that the intent was not to stifle freedom of the press, but that the defendant is held accountable for the conducting of activities in order to obtain the news and documents which were published, and which were indicated in the count of indictment.

Following an in-camera consultation meeting which lasted for three quarters of an hour, the Judicial College rejected the two objections which were presented and indicated Monday, November 30, 2015 at 9:30am as the date and time of the next hearing, when the questioning of the accused will begin, starting with Monsignor Vallejo Balda who will be followed by Ms. Chaouqui and then the others who are accused.  Several such hearings will be held next week.

Today's session concluded before noon.