Argentine 'angel of death' re-arrested

Argentine Captain Alfredo Astiz was dubbed the 'blond angel of death'

A former Argentine Navy officer has been re-arrested in connection with alleged human rights abuses under military rule between 1976 and 1983.

Alfredo Astiz - known as the "blond angel of death" - is said to have handed himself in at naval headquarters after two judges ordered his arrest on Tuesday.

It is the second time in recent months the 50-year-old former captain has been taken into custody.

He was detained briefly in August, along with 39 other former military officers, on arrest warrants issued by a Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon.

He was later released when the Spanish Government decided not to seek his extradition following the repeal of Argentina's immunity laws.

Mr Astiz was detained again on Tuesday, after federal judge Sergio Torres issued an arrest warrant in connection with allegations of torture at a Navy school under military rule.

Re-opened cases

A second judge, Alcindo Alvarez Canale, also called for his detention following an extradition request from France.

In 1990, a French court passed a life sentence in absentia on the 50-year-old former captain for his part in the murder of two French nuns in 1977.

Official figures say 9,000 people were kidnapped, tortured and killed in what became known as the Dirty War - but most believe the real number to be closer to 30,000.

Argentine human rights groups have long demanded justice for those who tortured and murdered their left-wing opponents.

Many officers were initially prosecuted - but eventually granted amnesties by the civilian governments that followed the military junta.

However, the repeal of immunity laws have led Argentine judges to re-open a number of cases against former officers.