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21 April 2010 | News | Human rights
Justice was Served
Argentinian dictator Reynaldo Bignone sentenced to 25 years in prison
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Argentina´s last de facto president, Reynaldo Bignone, was sentenced yesterday by a Court of the country to 25 years in prison and he has to serve his time in an ordinary jail. He was sentenced for his involvement in crimes against humanity committed in clandestine camp Campo de Mayo.
He was directly involved in the kidnapping of 56 people from 1976 to 1983. Most of them are still missing.
Military officers Santiago Riveros and Fernando Verplaetsen were also sentenced to 25 years, while Carlos Alberto Tepedino, Jorge Garcia and Eugenio Guañabens were sentenced to 20, 18 and 17 years respectively.
The ruling was welcomed by hundreds of people who were gathered outside the court, and Estela de Carlotto, member of the organization Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo said the ruling was “exemplary”.
“This gives us more strength to keep fighting”, said Carlotto, who made reference to the fact that “Justice was slow, but it has finally arrived”.
Meanwhile, Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo were nominated to the Nobel Peace Prize. Carlotto said to Telam news agency that the nomination filled them with satisfaction since their work recovering children taken during the dictatorship has been recognized.
“It is extremely gratifying and it gives us more strength to keep finding grandchildren”, said Carlotto.
Photo: http://www.abuelas.org.ar/
