COMMUNIQUE ABOUT DRAMA OF SWISS GUARDS IN 1998

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2002 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released the following communique:

"In light of news reports regarding supposed new information in the case of the deaths of Alois Estermann, Gladys Meza Romero and Cedric Tornay, a clarification follows:

"A request has reached the Promoter of Justice of the Tribunal of Vatican City State, sent through the Secretary of State, to re-open the investigation conducted by the lawyers Jacques Verges and Luc Brossolet, on behalf of Muguette Baudat, mother of Vice-Corporal Cedric Tornay. This request is presently being considered by the Legal Office, in accordance with article 295 and those that follow of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Vatican City State.

"However, the offensive statements, which are unfounded, made against the Holy See, Vatican City State and its judicial organisms are unacceptable."

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