Italy Vatican Priest Cleared after Police Chase in Red light District, AKI, October 13, 2009

Italy: Vatican Priest Cleared after Police Chase in Red-light District

AKI
October 13, 2009

http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=3.0.3872532779

Rome, 13 October (AKI) - A court in the Italian capital Rome has acquitted a Vatican priest of causing damage, injuries and resisting arrest, because "it is not a crime". Monsignor Cesare Burgazzi, a Vatican civil servant and master of ceremonies at Saint Peter's Basilica was stopped in May 2006 by undercover police officers at Valle Giulia, an area of Rome that is well known for prostitution and transsexuals.

The undercover officers said they stopped 51-year-old Burgazzi for a routine check of 'regulars' in the area because the driver was clearly looking to pick up a young male prostitute.

When officers then asked Burgazzi for his documents, he hit the accelerator pedal, driving into three policmen and ramming his car against the unmarked police vehicles. The three police officers sustained light injuries.

Burgazzi then fled the scene through the streets of Rome in a high-speed car chase followed by two other police cars. Twenty minutes later the priest gave up but hit yet another police car.

Upon turning himself in, Burgazzi, who works at the Vatican's State Department, reportedly told police officers:

"You all have no idea who I am. Do what you have to do, you will see later."

In court, Burgazzi said he was afraid he would be kidnapped which is why he reacted the way he did. Burgazzo also said a year earlier he had had a similar 'kidnapping' experience.

Burgazzi's lawyer told the court that the priest was on his way home after a night out at a restaurant.

"My client is not a user of prostitutes or transsexuals. He was simply on his way home after a night out at a restaurant."

The lawyer also said Burgazzi contested the police's claim that his front seats were reclined.

Public prosecutor Maria Bice Barboni had asked the judge for an 18 month jail sentence for the priest while the injured officers asked 20,000 euros each for damages.