**EDIT: Answered! Thank you all so much!**
Two protestors were recently convicted in Vatican courts due to damage done to a work of art. Could they not simply dodge the consequences by not returning to the Vatican?
Since the Vatican famously does not extradite church officials accused of heinous crimes, I had assumed that no other country would extradite their citizens to the Vatican, either. I could not find any solid information online, so wanted to ask people who would be better informed. Thank you!
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-06-12/vatican-court-convicts-climate-activists-for-damaging-statue
4 comments
whoever is convicted in the Vatican serves his sentence in an Italian prison, but the 2 activists got suspended sentences so they shouldn’t go to jail
Italy does not have an extradition agreement with the Vatican. So go figure what will happen
> At the request of the Holy See, or by its delegation which may be given in individuals cases or permanently, Italy will provide within its territory for the punishment of crimes committed within Vatican City, except when the author of the crime will have taken refuge in Italian territory, in which event he will be certainly prosecuted according to the provisions of Italian laws.
Lateran Treaaty art. 22
These guys got 9 months suspended sentences and 11k ahead in fines and restitution. It’s a slap on the wrist for vandalising a historic work of art that was already famous in the early Roman Empire. They should take the sentence and be glad that it’s lenient. And no, they can escape it by remaining in Italy. Also, they’re appealing anyway.
Article 22 of the Lateran treaty:
At the request of the Holy See, or by its delegate who may be appointed in single cases or permanently, Italy shall provide within her for the punishment of offences committed within the Vatican City, save and except when the author of the offence shall have taken refuge in Italian territory, in which event he shall immediately be proceeded against according to the provisions of the Italian laws.
The Holy See shall hand over to the Italian State all persons who may have taken refuge within the Vatican City, when accused of acts committed within Italian territory which are considered to be criminal by the law of both States.
The same provisions shall apply in regard to persons accused of offences who may have taken refuge within the buildings enjoying immunity in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 hereof, save and except if the persons having authority within such buildings prefer to request members of the Italian police force to enter and arrest such persons.