New probe for Jewish centre bombing ‘cover-up’ by ex Argentina president
Renewed investigation into allegation that Cristina Fernandez had a connection with the perpetrators of the deadly attack in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people
An Argentine court has ordered a renewed investigation into a prosecutor’s accusation that former president Cristina Fernandez covered up the alleged involvement of Iranians in a 1994 attack against a Jewish community centre.
The bombing of the centre in Buenos Aires killed 85 people and wounded hundreds of others.
Iran has denied any connection with the attack and declined to turn over the suspects in the case.
In its ruling, the country’s top criminal tribunal accepted a request by a delegation of Argentine Jewish associations to re-examine the charge Alberto Nisman made on January 14 2015 against Ms Fernandez, her foreign minister Hector Timerman and other officials in her government.
Mr Nisman was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head four days later. Authorities never determined if he was killed or took his own life.
Ms Fernandez was president from 2007-2015. She has denied wrongdoing in the case.
The former president blames the accusation on what she says is the bias of judges following the orders of her successor, President Mauricio Macri, who took office in December 2015.
Santiago Kaplun, secretary general of the delegation of Jewish organisations, welcomed the court ruling, telling the Todo Noticias cable television channel that “we are very hopeful”.
The ruling adds to legal complications for the former leader.
On Tuesday, a federal judge approved charges of illicit association and fraudulent administration against Ms Fernandez and two former aides: ex-planning minister Julio de Vido and former public works secretary Jose Lopez.
They are accused of misusing public money by paying inflated prices for public works contracts.
Ms Fernandez also denies wrongdoing in that case.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.