‘Vatileaks’ prosecutors want priest and PR consultant jailed for more than three years

Vatican prosecutors on Monday demanded prison sentences for a senior clergyman, a communications consultant and a journalist accused of involvement in the leak of sensitive Holy See documents dubbed “Vatileaks”.

The prosecution called for three years and nine months prison for communications consultant Francesca Chaouqui who had been involved in a review of Vatican finances and is accused of both “inspiring” and of ultimate responsibility for the leaks.

Chaouqui is accused of conspiring with a Spanish Vatican official, monsignor Angel Vallejo Balda, and his assistant, to leak data and documents they had access to as members of a commission appointed by Francis to spearhead a financial clean-up shortly after his election in 2013.

Prosecutors called for a sentence of three years and one month for Balda who is being held on remand in Vatican prison but is being allowed out on day release and one year and nine months for his assistant Nicola Maio.

The two journalists on trial, Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi, have published books based on the documents at the heart of the trial.

Prosecutors said that Nuzzi should be handed a one year suspended sentence but called for the acquittal of Fittipaldi due to a lack of evidence.

The court will deliver its verdicts on Wednesday or Thursday following a hearing Tuesday at which representatives of the accused are expected to submit their closing arguments.