The Holy See and the Vatican
State are investigating activities linked to Rome construction
magnate Angelo Proietti and have seized "all financial assets
concerned", they noted in a press release on Wednesday.
The authorities have since the beginning of the
investigation requested collaboration and information exchange
with Italian authorities, in line with the regulations and
Memorandums of Understanding in place and criminal proceedings
are currently underway.
Authorities are assessing possible damages to the entities
of the Holy See and the Vatican State, according to a statement
released by the Vatican press office on news published in
Italian media about the bankruptcy of the Edil Ars, a building
and art renovation contractor for several Vatican and Italian
government bodies and agencies.
Proietti has been under house arrest since May 19 on
fraudulent bankruptcy charges.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said that the Vatican
authorities had been investigating prior to the magnate's arrest
in Italy and that the Italian authorities had been informed.
He added in a conversation with journalists that
collaboration "at all levels" was ongoing with the Italian
state.
Lombardi noted that there had been reports of suspicious
transactions by Edil Ars in the Vatican, and that their assets
had been seized.
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