Argentine navy officers summarily executed inmates

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Monday, 10.15.12
Argentine navy officers summarily executed inmates
Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Judges in Argentina have convicted three former navy officers of summarily executing 16 political prisoners, and called on the U.S. to extradite a fourth suspect living in Miami.

The "Massacre of Trelew" in 1972 presaged the violence leading to Argentina's bloody dictatorship four years later. The inmates were shot even though a judge publicly guaranteed their safety.

The judges gave life sentences for murder to Emilio del Real, Luis Sosa and Carlos Marandino. Former navy Capt. Roberto Bravo was charged with them, but a U.S. judge denied his extradition, saying Argentina's military had absolved him.

Judge Enrique Guanziroli called it long-delayed justice, but their lawyers are preparing an appeal, saying killings don't qualify as crimes against humanity.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/15/3051336/argentine-navy-officers-summarily.html#storylink=cpy

(Short article, no more at link.)

[mitchtv]

1. and the incredibly slow wheels of Justice

continue to slow grind foward. VIVA ARGENTINA!

[struggle4progress]

2. US judge: no Argentine extradition in killings (Nov 2010)

by CURT ANDERSON
The Associated Press
Tuesday, November 2, 2010; 5:29 PM

MIAMI -- ... The decision released Tuesday means, for now, that Roberto Bravo will not be returned to Argentina to face 16 murder charges arising from the killings at a military base near the southern Argentine city of Trelew.

U.S. prosecutors said no decision had been made on a possible appeal.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Dube ruled there are doubts about "the credibility, reliability and truthfulness" of statements made by three survivors shortly after the shootings. The three died in the 1970s, Dube noted, and "there has never been any way to test their allegations or subject them to cross-examination."

Dube also ruled that Bravo, now 68, had been cleared by a military investigation at the time and said he is covered by an Argentine amnesty law that applies to events prior to 1973, including the Trelew shootings ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110204586.html