Argentina dictatorship leaders sentenced to life in prison

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) — A court in Argentina sentenced two former generals from the 1976-1983 military dictatorship to life in prison, but allowed them to serve out their time under house arrest.

Former Tucuman governor and army general Antonio Bussi, 82, and former army general Luciano Menendez, 81, were convicted of kidnapping, torturing and murdering a senator on the day of the 1976 coup.

Already under house arrest for prior crimes, the court in the northern city of Tucuman -- capital of the state of the same name -- ruled that Bussi and Menendez can remain under house arrest as they are both above the age of 70.

Upon hearing the sentence some of the hundreds of activists gathered outside the courthouse charged at police surrounding the building, hurling...