Spanish prelate arrested in new development in “Vatileaks” scandal

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Vatican City

A monsignor from Spain has been arrested in connection with the theft and leaking of classified Vatican documents. 

Monsignor Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda was detained as part of an investigation into the “misappropriation and disclosure of classified documents and information” The prelate previously served on a special commission started by Pope Francis to advise on economic reform in the Vatican.

Vallejo Balda was questioned alongside another member of the special commission, Francesca Chaouqui, at the end of a probe lasting several months according to the Vatican.

Following the arrests Chaouqui was released by the Vatican prosecutor Roberto Zannotti on Monday as she was not thought to be a flight risk and had agreed to collaborate with investigators.

The Vatican has also condemned two new books thought to be based on information gleaned from leaks and due for publication in the coming weeks.

“As far as the books announced for the coming days go, it is clear that this time too, just as in the past, they are the fruit of a serious betrayal of the pope’s trust,” a Vatican statement said.

In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI´s butler was behind the leaking of details regarding financial fraud and feuding in the Catholic Church.

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