Trelew massacre: Roberto Bravo’s extradition rejected

Criminal Cassation Court II reviewed a ruling from 2017 that had overlooked the complaints brought by Graciela García Romero, abducted and held in that clandestine detention center. The court subsequently convicted Jorge “Tigre” Acosta for the sexual abuse inflicted upon her. CELS has stood by Graciela’s pursuit of justice since 2005.

  

Sheraton case: both defendants sentenced

The fourth trial for crimes against humanity committed in the clandestine detention and torture center that operated in the Villa Insuperable district in La Matanza, province of Buenos Aires, came to an end.

  

Conviction for sexual crimes committed at ESMA during the dictatorship

The Second Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeals convicted Jorge “Tigre” Acosta for the sexual crimes committed against Graciela García Romero, who was kidnapped and held captive at the clandestine detention center known as ESMA. An earlier 2017 ruling had not taken into account her allegations. The Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) had supported Graciela’s pursuit of justice since 2005.

  

Sheraton case:  a new trial begins

On November 25, the fourth stage of the trial began for crimes against humanity committed at the clandestine detention and torture center that operated out of the Villa Insuperable sub-station, Buenos Aires Province.

  

Trelew Massacre: after 50 years, former marine Roberto Bravo was convicted in the U.S.

In a landmark ruling, a Miami court found Roberto Bravo guilty of the shootings of Eduardo Capello, Rubén Bonet, and Ana María Villarreal de Santucho and the attempted extrajudicial execution of Alberto Camps in August 1972. The sentence in the civil trial orders Bravo to pay USD 24 million in damages to the four plaintiff families. CELS assisted with the litigation process and accompanied the victims’ families.

  

Roberto Bravo trial: day 5

On the last hearing, plaintiffs’ counsel and the defense presented their arguments. After 2.5 hours of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict finding Mr. Bravo liable on all charges and awarding $24.25 million in total damages.

  

Roberto Bravo trial: day 3

Defendant Bravo resumed the stand for hours of questioning by his counsel, recalling that he began working at Almirante Zar Naval Base in January 1972. On August 15, 1972, the day of the Rawson Prison break, while on vacation with his family in Buenos Aires Mr. Bravo got a phone call ordering him back to base.

  

Roberto Bravo trial: day 2

The day concluded with the Defendant, Mr. Bravo, taking the stand for several hours. Certain details of Mr. Bravo’s testimony were not consistent with his prior sworn statements about the events at Trelew, including what soldiers were present, who opened the cell doors, how many shots were allegedly fired by a prisoner, and the position of each solider when the shooting commenced.

  

The trial of former marine Bravo began

The Florida State University College of Law International Human Rights Clinic monitored the trial of former Argentine naval officer, Defendant Roberto Guillermo Bravo, represented by Neal R. Sonnett, P.A. and Haber Law P.A., beginning June 27, 2022, and provides this neutral report of trial events.

  

Hasta Siempre, Carmen, Farewell

Carmen Cobo, Mother and Grandmother of Plaza de Mayo, passed away at the age of 96. She was one of the Mothers to whom we offered support and affection through the Voluntary Accompaniment Network. We will follow her on the path of tireless struggle for memory, truth and justice.

  

Bolivia: Coup and the return of the military “issue”

We condemn the coup d’état, political persecution and the violence committed by those who do not respect the democratic order in Bolivia. This rupture with the rule of law should prompt an immediate reaction by the region’s states. It is imperative that regional mechanisms and UN bodies initiate a dialogue with countries, in particular to ensure the right to asylum and refuge.

  

We seek to act as plaintiffs in the Acindar case

A plant owned by the Argentine steelmaker housed both a clandestine detention center and a police outpost during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. Company executives pointed out the workers who should be kidnapped and provided the military with photographs from their personal files so they could be identified.

  

The Ford case: prison terms of 10, 12 and 15 years

After 15 years of judicial investigations and a year-long trial, a federal court in Argentina found two former heads of Ford’s plant in General Pacheco guilty of acting as direct participants in illegal detentions and torture during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. This is a milestone in the sanctioning of civilian responsibility in state terrorism.

  

Supreme Court rules the “2 for 1” benefit is not applicable to crimes against humanity

The high court ruled on the case of Rufino Batalla, convicted to 13 years in prison for the kidnapping, torture and murder of Laura Carlotto and Olga Noemí Casado, and who had requested that the “2 for 1” sentence reduction provision be applied to his case. By determining it was inapplicable, the Supreme Court modified the criteria it had utilized in the Muiña ruling, which prompted widespread repudiation and led to the approval of a new law.

  

“Sheraton” trial: Our pleadings on behalf of Ana María Caruso and Roberto Carri

Ana María and Roberto were abducted in Morón, a suburb of Buenos Aires, and taken to the clandestine detention center known as the Sheraton or Embudo. For the couple’s kidnapping and torture, we ask that the court sentence the four defendants to 25 years in prison. At the trial, CELS represents their daughters, Andrea, Paula and Albertina Carri.

  

We reject the attempt to benefit those convicted of crimes against humanity with house arrest on the pretext of prison overpopulation

Human rights organizations repudiate this maneuver that conceals another attempt to benefit the repressors. The Federal Penitentiary Service, which reports to the national Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, sent a list of 1,111 detained persons who, due to their time spent in prison, qualify for parole or house arrest with electronic monitoring. The document included 96 people convicted of crimes against humanity.

  

Civilian responsibility: First conviction of a businessman on crimes against humanity revoked

A federal appeals court overturned the convictions of businessman Marcos Levín and three police officers, disregarding the context of worker persecution that existed in the 1970s and was evident in the case of Levín’s company, La Veloz del Norte. It also failed to acknowledge civilian and corporate complicity with the dictatorship and questioned the numerous witnesses who told of Levín’s presence at the place where torture was carried out.

  

Automotores Orletti trial: pleadings come to a close with request for sentences

Today was the second and final hearing of the plaintiffs’ pleadings in the trial over crimes committed in the Orletti clandestine detention center. Two murders had never been brought to light during a trial before and, for the first time, these defendants are being held to account for their actions under state terrorism. We requested that three of them be sentenced to life in prison.

  

On the arrest of César Milani

While the arrest gives a sense of satisfaction to the victims and society, the lawsuits investigating Milani for crimes against humanity have been notable for their delays. This decision should have been reached long ago.

  

Operation Condor: A criminal conspiracy to forcibly disappear people

This publication analyzes Operation Condor’s particular characteristics and traces back the cases that, after 16 years, culminated in a verdict on May 27, 2016. In this trial, the voices of hundreds of witnesses were heard, contributing testimony regarding 172 victims of Operation Condor and Automotores Orletti, the most important clandestine detention center for the Operation’s victims in Argentina.

  

ESMA: CELS requested prison terms for 55 defendants

CELS, on behalf of the unified legal team representing plaintiffs, requested life in prison for 51 defendants and 10-to-25-year prison terms for four others, in the third trial over the crimes against humanity committed at the ESMA torture and detention center.