Inkerman

Becciu had told the court on May 5 that he had raised her plight with Francis and that the pontiff had agreed to spend up to 1 million euros to hire the British firm, Inkerman Group, to find the nun and secure her freedom.

Marogna insisted the money wasn’t ransom, but rather payment to the British firm, Inkerman, for its services.

She said Inkerman had estimated the total cost to free the nun would amount to 17 million euros.

He said he brought the matter to Francis as well as Marogna, who he said advised him that she could work with a British intelligence firm, The Inkerman Group, to secure the nun’s release.

Becciu said he and Marogna met with Inkerman officials at their London office in mid-January 2018.