P2

P2 Lodge

P2 Lodge, also known as Propaganda Due, was a secretive masonic lodge that operated in Italy during the 1970s and 1980s. It was involved in various high-profile political scandals and accused of spreading misinformation, bribery, and influence peddling. The lodge was eventually disbanded in 1981 following a police investigation that uncovered its existence and activities. Several of its members were convicted of criminal charges, and P2 became synonymous with widespread public distrust of Italian politics and institutions.

Scandals

Some of the scandals associated with the P2 Masonic Lodge:

Banco Ambrosiano scandal: This scandal revolved around the collapse of Banco Ambrosiano, one of Italy's largest banks, and the death of its chairman, Roberto Calvi, who was a member of P2.

Lockheed bribery scandal: The Lockheed bribery scandal involved allegations of American aerospace company Lockheed paying bribes to Italian politicians and officials in exchange for contracts.

Operation Gladio: A secret military operation carried out by NATO that involved P2 members and aimed to counter perceived Communist influence in Italy.

Propaganda Due's alleged involvement in false flag terrorism: P2 has been accused of being involved in several acts of terrorism in Italy, including bombings, that were carried out in order to create a sense of crisis and to increase the power of the military and intelligence services.

Influence peddling: P2 has faced allegations of using its network of influential individuals to gain political power and influence.

Note: These scandals have been widely reported and discussed, but the full extent of P2's activities and influence is still unknown, and some details remain shrouded in secrecy.

Roberto Calvi

Roberto Calvi served as the chairman of Banco Ambrosiano, one of Italy's largest banks. Additionally, he was a member of the P2 masonic lodge. In June 1982, his body was found hanging under Blackfriars Bridge in London, England. At first, his death was classified as a suicide. However, further investigations have since emerged, casting doubt on the original determination and suggesting the possibility of foul play. The exact circumstances of Roberto Calvi's death are still unclear, and different theories and interpretations continue to circulate to this day.

There are several important details regarding Roberto Calvi's death:

Suspicious circumstances: Roberto Calvi's body was found with bricks in his pockets and his hands bound behind his back, leading some to question the official ruling of suicide.

Financial scandals: Banco Ambrosiano had been facing financial difficulties and was under investigation for fraud and embezzlement. Roberto Calvi was suspected of having connections to the Mafia and of using P2 to launder money.

Possible motives: Roberto Calvi's death has been linked to his involvement in the Banco Ambrosiano scandal and his connections to the Mafia, as well as his knowledge of the activities of P2.

Investigation and trial: The cause of Roberto Calvi's death underwent multiple investigations and trials in both Italy and the United Kingdom. In 2003, a trial took place in Rome where five individuals were acquitted of murder charges. However, in 2005, the case was reopened.

Controversial verdict: In 2007, Roberto Calvi's death was officially declared a murder, and in 2016, four people were convicted of his murder. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal in 2018. As a result, the case continues to be a subject of controversy and is currently under ongoing investigation.

2016 Trial and Subsequent Aquittals

In 2016, the four people convicted of the murder of Roberto Calvi were: Licio Gelli, the head of P2; Flavio Carboni, a Sardinian businessman; Manuela Kleinszig, Carboni's former girlfriend; and Ernesto Diotallevi, a member of the Mafia. The trial, which occurred in Rome, Italy, spanned several years and involved multiple appeals and overturned verdicts.

The conviction was based on evidence of a conspiracy between P2, the Mafia, and corrupt politicians to silence Roberto Calvi and conceal the financial scandals associated with Banco Ambrosiano. The prosecution contended that Roberto Calvi was murdered because he knew too much about the illegal activities carried out by these organisations, which posed a significant threat to their interests.

However, in 2018, the convictions were overturned on appeal, and the case was sent back to the lower court for a new trial. The acquittal was granted due to the argument that the evidence presented was circumstantial, and the prosecution was unable to establish a clear motive for the murder.

As of my knowledge up until 2021, the case remains open, and the exact circumstances of Roberto Calvi's death continue to be the subject of investigation and speculation. The acquittal of the four individuals has been criticised by some as a miscarriage of justice and a failure to fully uncover the truth about Roberto Calvi's death and the involvement of P2 and other organisations in Italian politics and finance.