Former Argentine Supreme Court Judge Indicted

Former Argentine Supreme Court Judge Juan Carlos Caballero Vidal has been indicted on charges of crimes against humanity by Federal Judge Leopoldo Rago Gallo.

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The court says Caballero Vidal is “a necessary participant and member of an illegal association in the crimes of illegitimate deprivation of liberty and aggravated torture” in at least two cases.

The 70-year-old Caballero Vidal faces imprisonment, but could likely be placed under house arrest due to his age. Federal Prosecutor Francisco Maldonado argued against the former justice.

The retired justice was accused of failing to investigate the kidnapping and torture of Hector Cevinelli and the murder of Angel Jose Alberto Carvajal as well as providing impunity to the security forces.

Caballero Vidal has denied any collusion with the military.

Carvajal was reportedly beaten to death in a prison in Chimbas. Lawyer Carlos Bula, who represented Carvajal, accused Caballero Vidal of refusing to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his client's death.

Two witnesses remarked that Caballero Vidal had dismissed evidence presented on behalf of the victims to declare their innocence, in favor of the then-dictatorship rule, according to an SJ8 report.

Caballero Vidal, who was a judge for two decades, stepped down at the end of last year and an investigation into his involvement with the crimes – which were committed in San Juan – was subsequently launched.