Reply #32: Italy Seeks 139 Suspects From Dirty Wars

[Judi Lynn]

Italy Seeks 139 Suspects From Dirty Wars
By ARIEL DAVID – 17 hours ago

ROME (AP) — Italy is requesting the extradition of 139 former South American leaders and their underlings over the disappearance, torture and death of Italians who were caught up in a crackdown on dissent in the 1970s and '80s, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Those sought were involved in the military dictatorships of Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay and are accused in the kidnapping and murder of 25 Italian dissidents, said lead prosecutor Giancarlo Capaldo.

Suspects include Argentina's former junta leader Jorge Videla and Uruguay's former dictator Juan Bordaberry — both currently under house arrest and being prosecuted in their native countries.

Capaldo said he expects replies to the extradition requests in the coming months.

In an interview with The Associated Press, he said court proceedings could go ahead even without extraditions, as Italian law allows suspects to be tried in absentia.

More:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gV2FdgFVmPgEOfrg1L4Vg9Qj59xAD8U3AENO0