The butler at the centre of a case involving leaked documents from the Vatican will face trial, it was announced Monday, as investigators pressed charges against another person in the so-called Vatileaks scandal, DPA reported.
Paolo Gabriele will face aggravated theft charges in the case, reported the Ansa news agency, citing the Vatican. Meanwhile, the new charges reported Monday relate to a computer programmer in a Vatican ministerial-level office who has been accused of accessory to theft.
Gabriele is alleged to have stolen confidential papal documents, some of which were then leaked to Italian media. Those included reports about an alleged murder plot against the pope and questionable dealings at a Vatican bank, the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR).
Gabriele could face six to eight years in prison under Vatican law. There has been speculation that the Vatileaks affair involves more than one individual. Until now, the Vatican has said its investigations have only focused on Gabriele.