Today, the Versailles Court of Appeals in France approved the extradition of Mario Alfredo Sandoval requested by the Argentine Republic in 2012 on the grounds of serious human rights violations.
The ruling renews the favourable opinion issued by the Paris Court of Appeals on 28 May 2014, later overturned by the Court of Cassation, which consequently referred the case to the Court that issued its decision today.
The extradition of Mr. Sandoval had been requested by Argentine judge Sergio Torres for crimes committed during the military dictatorship (1976-1983), particularly at the clandestine detention centre that operated at the Naval Mechanics School (ESMA). Hernán Abriata, a young student of architecture, was among the victims. Mr. Abriata was detained on 30 October 1976 by a Buenos Aires Federal Police cell by order of Deputy Inspector Mario Sandoval, as reported by the victim's mother to the Investigation Commission (CONADEP), and has been missing since then.
The Argentine Government's commitment to the defence of human rights and the fight against impunity was ratified by its careful monitoring of the proceedings initiated before the French Government and Courts, from the submission of the extradition request to the judicial act carried out today, in which officials of the Argentine Embassy in France participated alongside specially hired legal advisers.
The arguments of the decision will be disclosed by the court in the next few days.
The ruling issued by the Court of Versailles is subject to review by the Court of Cassation, the highest court in France.
It represents an important step for the Argentine Republic in the search for justice, the fight against impunity and the commitment to the promotion and defence of human rights fostered by President Macri's administration.
Press release No. 465/17
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