Argentina's Ex-President Menem Cleared Of Charges In Jewish Center Blast Case - Court

BUENOS AIRES (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st March, 2019) A court in Argentina acquitted the country's former president, Carlos Menem, in the case of a deadly explosion that hit the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires in 1994.

Menem, 88, who governed the country between 1989 and 1999, had been charged with conspiring to cover up the case and derail the investigation into the deadliest terror attack to happen in Argentina. Prosecutors believed Menem had covered up information about the involvement of Syrian-born Argentinian businessman Alberto Kanoore Edul in the incident and sought a four-year jail term for the ex-president.

"[The court rules] to acquit Menem," a judicial panel wrote in its conclusion on Thursday.

Moreover, the court ruled to sentence judge Jose Galeano to six years in jail. The judge initially led the case but was subsequently dismissed due to covering up evidence, something that he had denied.

In July 1994, a car bomb exploded near the AMIA, killing 85 people and injuring hundreds of others. Argentina, which is home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, accused Iran of being behind the attack but Tehran has vehemently denied its involvement in the incident.

The probe into the attack, which never brought any result, was overshadowed by multiple allegations of cover-ups. However, the investigation was revived under Argentina's incumbent President Mauricio Macri.