Prosecutors recommend jail time in 'Vatileaks 2' trial

(Vatican Radio) On Monday, prosecutors in the so-called ‘Vatileaks 2’ case presented their conclusions and recommendations for punishment.

Five people are on trial for obtaining and leaking confidential Vatican documents, which were later published in two books.

Two of them – Msgr. Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda and Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui – were members of the COSEA Commission, which studied possible reforms of the Vatican financial system in 2013-2014. A third - Nicola Maio – was a secretary to Msgr. Vallejo.

Also on trial are the authors of the two books: Journalists Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi.

Prosecutors assert Chaouqui was the prime instigator of the crime, and recommend she be given a sentence of 3 years and nine months.

For Msgr. Vallejo Balda, they recommend a sentence of 3 years and 1 month of imprisonment.

For Mr. Maio, whom prosecuters said had “limited responsibility and involvement” in the conspiracy, the recommendation is a sentence of  1 year and 9 months.

A 1-year jail term is recommended for journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, while the other journalist, Emiliano Fittipaldi, is recommended for acquittal due to lack of evidence.

The defense is expected to conclude its presentation on Wednesday.