Information
Equipo Nizkor
        Bookshop | Donate
Derechos | Equipo Nizkor       

06Aug15


After 21 years, AMIA cover-up trial begins


Former president Carlos Menem and his then Intelligence Chief Hugo Anzorreguy did not show up in court today to attend the beginning of the trial investigating the cover-up of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center that killed 85 people and left more than 300 injured.

Anzorreguy is in hospital as a result of an infection he allegedly got after undergoing surgery. A teleconference had been scheduled but when authorities tried to reach him in the Otamendi private clinic the connection failed.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of Carlos Menem presented a medical report saying the former head of state was suffering from high blood pressure, depression, osteoarthritis and diabetes.

However, members of the Federal Oral Court No.2 (TOF 2) -- in charge of judging the cover-up -, said the report was "illegible," with judges ordering a follow up on Menem's health condition. They later ordered to resume the trial.

Twenty-one years after the worst-ever terrorist attack suffered by the country, the trial into the attempted cover-up of the AMIA attack began this morning.

Former judge Juan José Galeano along with former prosecutors Eamon Mullen and José Barbaccia -- in charge of probing the attack -- will also be defendants in the case as will former Federal Police (PFA) inspector Jorge "Fino" Palacios.

Carlos Telleldín -- who was acquitted in the 2001-2004 trial -- will also have to explain his role in the attack this time.

Former DAIA head Rubén Beraja will face accusations of being involved in a manoeuvre that sought to blame a group of Buenos Aires provincial police officers for the deadliest attack suffered in Argentina.

The Executive will act as a plaintiff in the trial, represented by lawyer Luciano Hazan.

Following a request from Memoria Activa, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will be sending commissioner Paulo Vannuchi as an observer for today's hearing.

Activists were in negotiations to extend the time Vannuchi -- who served as Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva's Human Rights minister -- will be staying in the country to oversee the trial.

[Source: The Buenos Aires Herald, Bs As, 06Aug15]

Bookshop Donate Radio Nizkor

DDHH en Argentina
small logoThis document has been published on 10Aug15 by the Equipo Nizkor and Derechos Human Rights. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.