Tuesday 30 September 2003

New inquiry in Italian banker's death

Suicide my ass! It's only taken them 20 years to figure it out? Yeah right! Interesting story but I really don't think it will lead anywhere important.

Police in the City of London have re-opened inquiries into the death of an Italian banker more than 20 years ago.

Roberto Calvi, chairman of a private bank which collapsed with spectacular losses, was found hanging beneath Blackfriars Bridge across the Thames River.

At first he was thought to have commited suicide, but Italian police believe he was murdered by the Mafia as punishment for pocketing money they had asked him to launder.

Four people were charged earlier this summer and it is thought the aim of the new investigation in London is to help the Italian prosecutor.

Forensic tests

Calvi, nicknamed God's Banker because of his Vatican connections, fled Italy after the private bank he chaired, the Banco Ambrosiano, collapsed.

The suicide theory was questioned after forensic tests recently concluded in Germany suggested he had been murdered.

Detective Superintendent Trevor Smith, of the City of London Police, has been asked to begin inquiries into the case on behalf of Dr Luca Tescaroli, the Rome magistrate in charge of the Italian prosecutions.

The City of London Police confirmed the "circumstances surrounding Roberto Calvi's death are currently under active investigation".

Calvi's son, Carlo, told BBC News Online the news was "very encouraging" and he said he planned to travel to London from his home in Canada to help assist the police.

Full story...