Vatican Butler Reports "Inhuman Conditions in Prison"

AGI
October 2, 2012

http://www.agi.it/english-version/italy/elenco-notizie/201210021559-cro-ren1059-vatican_butler_reports_inhuman_conditions_in_prison

Vatican City - During a dramatic hearing in the trial in which he is charged with aggravated burglary, the Pope's 'disloyal' butler Paolo Gabriele reported that he has experienced inhuman conditions in prison at the barracks of the Vatican Gendarmerie, especially during the first days following his arrest. "The cell was so narrow I could not stretch my arms, the light was on 24/7 and I was even denied a pillow," he told the judges. Court President Giuseppe della Torre asked judge Nicola Picardi to investigate these allegations.

Accepting the presiding judge's invitation the prosecutor specified that "every possible was done to find a more suitable cell, unavailable at the time because two people were under arrest, Gabriele and Sciarpelletti." Picardi added that the situation "lasted less than 20 days" and meals were not served to the detainee through the small opening on the cell door.

Paolo Gabriele asked for records to show that he had reported that having the lights on 24/7 has damaged his eyesight. This precaution is applied when a detainee is considered a suicide risk. . .