A judge in Argentina has requested the arrest and extradition of 20 former officials suspected of carrying out human rights abuses during the dictatorship of General Franco.
The officials are accused of being complicit in the torture of dissidents during the Spanish dictator's rule from 1939 to 1975. Former cabinet ministers José Utrera Molina, 88, and Rodolfo Martín Villa, 80 are amongst the accused.
Federal judge Maria Servini de Cubria requested the extraditions under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which can see judges try suspects of serious human rights abuses from foreign countries.
The families of the victims requested Argentina help try the officials, as an 1977 amnesty law passed in Spain blocks any legal action against the former officials.
A Spanish victims' association said the ruling was “significant progress” adding, “we celebrate Argentina’s justice system acting on behalf of the victims of the Franco dictatorship.”
Though the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has called on Spain to investigate what happened to the thousands who disappeared during the military dictatorship, the amnesty law has remained in place.
Last year Argentina requested the extradition of a former policeman accused of torture, but Spanish authorities refused to comply.
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