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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Trial of ex-Argentine dictator underway

The trial of former Argentine dictator, Reynaldo Bignone, has started in Buenos Aires for the human rights violations he committed during his 1976-83 rule.

Bignone, 81, is accused of kidnapping and torturing 56 people who were held in secret detention centers at the Campo de Mayo military base, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, during Argentina's "dirty war" against the leftists.

In 1983, after seven years of repressive rule, Bignone handed over power to social democrat Raul Alfonsin, the country's first elected president.

In addition to the kidnapping and torture charges, the former army general is accused of stealing the children of some of the kidnapped detainees.

Nearly 5,000 prisoners were held at the Campo de Mayo barracks when a military junta headed by General Leopoldo Galtieri enforced a totalitarian rule.

According to human rights groups, about 30,000 Argentines "disappeared" during Bignone's military rule, and some 500 babies, born during their mothers' captivity, were taken away, only 97 of whom have discovered their true identity.

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