Former Argentine dictator Videla sentenced to life in prison

[News_Editor]

Former Argentine dictator Videla sentenced to life in prison

2010-12-23 11:12:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

CORDOBA, ARGENTINA (BNO NEWS) -- Former Argentine dictator Jorge Videla was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday over crimes committed against political prisoners in 1976, prosecutors said.

Videla was sentenced along with former general Luciano Benjamin Menendez for kidnapping, torturing and shooting 31 political prisoners between April and October 1976. The judge ordered the two defendants to undergo medical examinations to determine if they are capable of endure prison life.

The 85-year-old former dictator was also found partially responsible of directing torture, murder, and torture that led to death crimes which were perpetrated during his presidential mandate. Videla was previously prosecuted on other charges related to human rights violations.

In 1985, Videla was sentenced to life in prison in an historic trial. However, he was freed in 1990 after then President Carlos Menem pardoned him. Such benefit was revoked in 2005 as the Supreme Court ruled Menem's pardon as unconstitutional.

The murdered dissidents were detained prior to the military coup of March 1976. They were held at a federal prison and were under judicial process. However, Videla ordered their executions later that year.

Videla justified his actions by claiming that he and his government were protecting Argentina from a socialist group which was allegedly attempting to seize control of the South American country.

The former dictator is considered as the mind behind the repressive system that caused the death of thousands of people. He will be prosecuted again as he is facing additional charges in the coming months.

The Argentine government no longer recognizes Videla as having been a legal president of the country, and his portrait has been removed from the military school as well.

Videla left the presidency in 1981 and the democracy was restored in 1983. After that he was brought to trial over his crimes during his presidency, a period known in Argentina as the Dirty War.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-23