Argentina: Menem to stand trial over AMIA cover-up

An Argentine judge has ordered former president Carlos Menem to stand trial for perverting the course of justice in the investigation of the 1994 AMIA bombing. Former judge Juan Jose Galeano is also accused.

Menem was initially charged with concealing and tampering with evidence in 2009. According to news agency AFP,

Prosecutors now say there is evidence that Argentine state intelligence services and security forces covered up and erased tracks for local accomplices of the attackers during the Menem administration.

In particularly, he's said to have been involved in concealing the role of a Syrian businessman and family friend, Kanoore Edul (now deceased). Menem is currently a senator; he can stand trial, but if sentenced his fellow senators will have to impeach him before he can serve a sentence.

Argentina's Menem to be tried for obstruction (AFP)
AMIA inquiry: Judge announces Menem, Galeano to go on trial (Buenos Aires Herald)
Argentina's Carlos Menem faces bombing trial (BBC)
Menem, Anzorreguy y Galeano a juicio oral por encubrimiento en la causa AMIA (Clarin)

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Peru
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Argentina: Menem Charged in AMIA Cover-up

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem has been charged with covering up and destroying evidence related to the so-called 'Syrian connection' in the 1994 AMIA bombing. Specifically, he is said to have ordered the destruction of 54 cassettes containing evidence regarding the terrorist attack.

Also charged are his brother, Munir Menem, who was presidential chief of staff at the time, former federal judge Juan José Galeano, two intelligence chiefs and two police officers. Yes, one of the latter is Jorge "Fino" Palacios, who recently almost became head of the Buenos Aires police, until forced to withdraw due to this very controversy.

Procesan a Menem y otros ex funcionarios por irregularidades en la causa AMIA (Clarin)
Menem charged over bomb inquiry (BBC)
Former Argentine president Menem indicted for alleged "terrorist cover-up" (Mercopress)

Argentina: Menem Trial Begins...

...but the accused is not present. His lawyers say he is too ill to attend the trial. Menem could theoretically be sentenced to up to 12 years in jail, but he cannot be actually imprisoned until his term as a senator ends in 2014. He's already 78. I won't be holding my breath waiting to see him behind bars any time soon (although you never know; it happened to Videla), but I maintain my usual position that seeing these former untouchables in front of a judge is still a positive thing.

Menem arms-smuggling trial opens (BBC)