Jorge Rafael Videla: Difference between revisions

Line 25:

The Trial of the Juntas convened in 1985 to prosecute any officials associated with the junta, particularly their involvement in perpetuating the Dirty War. Videla was convicted of perpetrating numerous [[war crimes]] and [[crimes against humanity]] and was sentenced to life in prison.

[[File:Videla new Trial.jpg|left|thumb|Videla new trial]]

However, Videla would only remain imprisoned for five years. In 1990, President Carlos Menem pardoned Videla and many other imprisoned former members of the military regime. Menem also pardoned the leftist guerrilla commanders accused of terrorism. In a televised address to the nation, President Menem said, "I have signed the decrees so we may begin to rebuild the country in peace, in liberty and in justice ... We come from long and cruel confrontations. There was a wound to heal."

However, Videla would only remain imprisoned for five years. In 1990, President [[Carlos Menem]] pardoned Videla and many other imprisoned former members of the military regime. Menem also pardoned the leftist guerrilla commanders accused of terrorism. In a televised address to the nation, President Menem said, "I have signed the decrees so we may begin to rebuild the country in peace, in liberty and in justice ... We come from long and cruel confrontations. There was a wound to heal."

After several stints in and out of prison from 1998 to 2012, he was finally handed down a new prison sentence after a federal court had ruled President Menem's pardons unconstitutional. On July 5, 2012, Videla was convicted and sentenced to 50 years' imprisonment for his participation in a scheme to steal babies from parents detained by the military regime. According to the court decision, Videla was an accomplice "in the crimes of theft, retention and hiding of minors, as well as replacing their identities." The children were given to military families for illegal adoption, and their identities were hidden. An estimated 400 children were stolen during this period, often from mothers who gave birth in prison and who were later "disappeared." By the summer of 2014, 113 of these adoptees had their identities restored.

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 The Trial of the Juntas convened in 1985 to prosecute any officials associated with the junta, particularly their involvement in perpetuating the Dirty War. Videla was convicted of perpetrating numerous [[war crimes]] and [[crimes against humanity]] and was sentenced to life in prison.
 [[File:Videla new Trial.jpg|left|thumb|Videla new trial]]
-However, Videla would only remain imprisoned for five years. In 1990, President Carlos Menem pardoned Videla and many other imprisoned former members of the military regime. Menem also pardoned the leftist guerrilla commanders accused of terrorism. In a televised address to the nation, President Menem said, "I have signed the decrees so we may begin to rebuild the country in peace, in liberty and in justice ... We come from long and cruel confrontations. There was a wound to heal."
+However, Videla would only remain imprisoned for five years. In 1990, President [[Carlos Menem]] pardoned Videla and many other imprisoned former members of the military regime. Menem also pardoned the leftist guerrilla commanders accused of terrorism. In a televised address to the nation, President Menem said, "I have signed the decrees so we may begin to rebuild the country in peace, in liberty and in justice ... We come from long and cruel confrontations. There was a wound to heal."
 After several stints in and out of prison from 1998 to 2012, he was finally handed down a new prison sentence after a federal court had ruled President Menem's pardons unconstitutional. On July 5, 2012, Videla was convicted and sentenced to 50 years' imprisonment for his participation in a scheme to steal babies from parents detained by the military regime. According to the court decision, Videla was an accomplice "in the crimes of theft, retention and hiding of minors, as well as replacing their identities." The children were given to military families for illegal adoption, and their identities were hidden. An estimated 400 children were stolen during this period, often from mothers who gave birth in prison and who were later "disappeared." By the summer of 2014, 113 of these adoptees had their identities restored.