Why was Italian leader Giulio Andreotti pardoned from his jail sentence in 2002?

The collapse of the Christian Democratic party left Andreotti susceptible to prosecution on innumerable counts of corruption. In 1995, Andreotti was indicted for selling political favors to the mafia. This resulted in a massively notorious "trial of the century," which ended in Andreotti's' subsequent acquittal.

In 2002 he was; however, found guilty of ordering the murder of a journalist. He was sentenced to twenty-four years in prison. Italy's highest court overturned the conviction; other rulings found him not guilty of dealings with the mafia. He was mighty and influential in Italy.

Andreotti always denied the charges against him. He claimed to be a victim of coercion and a tool used to protect the mafia. He also had several friends in high places, such as with the Vatican throughout his career. He was also a beloved political and religious figure.