Argentinian officer avoids atrocity trial

The Argentinian Justice Minister, Raul Granillo Ocampo, says a former navy officer, Alfredo Astiz, who has publicly admitted to carrying out human rights violations during military rule in the 1970's and '80's will not face trial.

In an interview with the BBC during a visit to London, Mr Ocampo said two laws granting amnesty to military personnel involved in atrocities prevented him from being tried.

However, he said this did not mean the courts will not continue to investigate Mr Astiz's case in order to establish the truth.

Mr Astiz has been confined to an Argentinian military base for two months after he used a magazine interview to defend his actions.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service