VATICAN CITY -- Monsignor Lucio Vallejo Balda, who was convicted by a Vatican Court for handing over confidential information to two journalists in the ‘Vatileaks 2’ case, has been arrested and has begun his 18 month sentence in a Vatican cell, the Press Office of the Holy See has confirmed.

 Vallejo Balda is due to serve 18 months in the Vatican cell. The court’s decision was made on July 7 and became effective on Monday.

 Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, also charged for the handing over of confidential papers, has been sentenced to ten months in prison. Her sentence, however, has been suspended for five years.

 Vallejo Balda and Chaouqui are both former members of the COSEA commission for Vatican finances.

 Nicola Maio, who was also suspected of collaborating with Vallejo Balda and Chaouqui, was acquitted of all charges.

 Also cleared of all charges were Gianluigi Nuzzi and Emiliano Fittipaldi, the two journalists involved in the case, for reasons of “lack of jurisdiction.”

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