'Vatileaks II' trial postponed for a week; rift reported between key defendants

November 30, 2015

The trial of five defendants charged with leaking secret Vatican documents has been postponed for a week, after one defendant asked for extra time to prepare her defense, having engaged a new lawyer.

Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, the flamboyant publicist who was arrested for leaking documents, sought the continuance because she had hired her own lawyer, rather than proceeding with a court-appointed counsel. Chaouqui has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a series of aggressive social-media posts, she challenged reporters to provide any evidence that she was guilty.

Another defendant, Gianluigi Nuzzi—the author of a book based on the leaked documents—welcomed the postponement, saying that it would “allow us to fine-tune our defense.”

Meanwhile Italian media reports focused on an apparent rift between Chaouqui and Msgr. Lucio Vallejo Balda, the two people who were originally arrested for releasing secret documents. Msgr. Balda reportedly signed a statement saying that he was tempted to have an affair with Chaouqui, and thought she was working as a secret agent for the Italian government. Chaouqui, in turn, reportedly referred to Msgr. Balda as “a worm.”

 

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Further information:

• Vatican leaks trial postponed after defendant changes lawyer (Reuters)
• Sex, lies and spies: Vatileaks plot thickens (AFP)
• Trial delayed as accused asks for more time (AFP)
• Trial delayed as accused asks for more time (AFP)
• Vatican court rejects plea to dismiss criminal charges on document leaks (CWN, 11/24)