Mexico to Extradite Argentine Torturer to Spain

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Saturday February 3 4:51 AM ET

Mexico To Extradite Soldier 

By JULIE WATSON, Associated Press Writer 

MEXICO CITY (AP) - In what has been hailed as another historic victory in
human rights cases, Mexico said it will extradite a former Argentine soldier
to face charges in Spain over his alleged role in Argentina's "dirty war."

Ricardo Cavallo will be handed over to the Spanish embassy to face charges
of genocide, torture and terrorism, Mexico's Foreign Ministry said Friday.

The charges stem from Argentina's oppression of dissidents during the
so-called "dirty war" against political opposition. At least 9,000
Argentines vanished during the military dictatorship from 1976-1983. Human
rights groups put the figure closer to 30,000.

"By playing an active role in international efforts to prosecute atrocities,
Mexico is making history," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, director of the
Americas division of Human Rights Watch. He called it "an extraordinary step
toward accountability for human rights abuses."

The decision fuels controversy over whether a third country can prosecute on
charges stemming from crimes committed outside of its borders.

Cavallo, who had been the director of Mexico's private National Registry of
Motor Vehicles, was arrested on Aug. 24 after five former political
prisoners alleged he had tortured them in Argentina.

His accusers say Cavallo served at the Navy Mechanical School, one of the
most notorious centers of repression in Argentina during the military
dictatorship.

Cavallo's case will come under the jurisdiction of Spanish Judge Baltasar
Garzon, known for his prosecution of former Chilean dictator Gen. Augusto
Pinochet.

He has accused Cavallo of torture, kidnapping, terrorism, car theft and
forgery. Courts in France and Italy also are seeking Cavallo.

Officials said they did not know when Cavallo would be handed over to
Spanish authorities.

Cavallo has admitted to serving in Argentina's military but has denied the
charges against him.

Roberto Garreton, a representative of Human Rights Watch and a former human
rights ambassador for Chile following Pinochet's dictatorship, said Mexico's
decision was significant because it strengthened international law against
torture.

"Mexico has joined other countries fighting for human rights, making it part
of its foreign policy," Garreton said. "Mexico has shown it worries about
the human rights abuses that occur in other countries."

 
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