Trial Against Former Argentine President Carlos Menem Opens

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem was not present inside the Buenos Aires courthouse on Thursday where he is facing arms-trafficking charges for which, if found guilty, he could face twelve years in prison.

Menem’s lawyers have said the 78-year-old was too ill to attend the trial but have insisted the former leader is innocent of the charges. He served as president from 1989-1999.

Those charges are related to the sale of weapons to Croatia and Ecuador during the period of 1991-1995 while both countries were engaged in separate wars. Menem has said he authorized the sale of weapons to Panama and Venezuela, a legal act because both countries were at peace.

Similar charges were originally filed in 2001 but those charges were dismissed by a panel of judges, many of whom were appointed during Menem’s presidency.

After those judges were replaced by Nestor Kirchner, president from 2003-2007, charges were once again filed against Menem, charges Menem has called politically motivated.

While Menem faces twelve years for the offense he also enjoys immunity from imprisonment due to his position as a serving senator. Prosecutors would have to wait until 2014 before pressing for imprisonment or have the Senate intervene and have him removed from his position.

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