The former head of the Argentine navy, Emilio Massera, has been arrested in connection with the theft of newborn babies from jailed political dissidents under military rule in the 1970s and 1980s.

A judge ordered Mr Massera to be detained at a military base after he'd testified about the disappearance of two mothers who gave birth while in jail.

A correspondent for the BBC in Buenos Aires says it's believed the women were executed.

At least two-hundred babies were taken from jailed dissidents during the seven-year dictatorship, and handed over for adoption to military and police couples.

Mr Massara was convicted of human rights abuses in 1985 - and subsequently pardoned.

The head of the military regime, Jorge Videla, is currently under house arrest in connection with the alleged theft of four babies.