Former judge Pedro Laurentino Duarte and former prosecutor Víctor Ortiz were convicted by the Federal Oral Court of Neuquén for dismissing and closing investigations into kidnappings and torture.
Two judicial officials who performed during the last dictatorship (1976-1983) were sentenced to 11 years in prison this Wednesday for crimes against humanity during that time. The trial known as “School VIII” investigated 22 cases of disappearances and torture committed in the clandestine center named after that.
The officials convicted by the Federal Oral Court of Neuquén were former judge Pedro Laurentino Duarte and former prosecutor Víctor Ortiz. The court made up of María Paula Marisi, Alejandro Oliva and Sebastián Foglia considered Duarte pnecessary participant in kidnappings and author of omission of criminal prosecution for dismissing complaints from the victims’ relatives.
For its part, Ortizfederal prosecutor between September 23, 1976 and April 1, 1985, was also convicted of co-author of omission of criminal prosecution. Ortiz had a close relationship with Duarte that had begun long before the events for which they were convicted.
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Duarte He was a member of the Army and before being appointed in charge of the Federal Court of First Instance of Neuquén on August 2, 1976, he had served as head of the Justice section of the VI Mountain Infantry Brigade of Neuquén. Ortiz He was clerk of that court when he was appointed federal prosecutor on September 23, 1976.
The charges against judicial officials
The trial was the eighth to be held in Neuquén for crimes against humanity. committed during the last dictatorship. In this case, it focused on the role of Duarte and Ortiz in the repression deployed in the province.
In particular, The trial focused on the systematic dismissal of complaints and habeas corpus presented by relatives of detainees that were never investigated. In total, there were 21 people.
In the case of Duartebesides, was charged with malfeasance for closing investigations and issuing dismissals based on false information.
Source: Ambito
