Former Argentine intelligence agent, 2 retired military officers arrested in 'Dirty War' sweep

(AP) A former intelligence agent and two retired military officers were arrested in connection with human rights abuses dating to Argentina's "Dirty War" against political dissent, police said.

Raul Antonio Guglielminetti was arrested late Wednesday for questioning in a series of disappearances at a Buenos Aires torture center during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship _ when prosecutors say the state led a systematic campaign of abductions, torture and executions.

Guglielminetti offered no resistance and was being held at a courthouse jail complex in Buenos Aires province south of the capital, authorities said. Also detained were retired navy Vice Commodore Nestor Horacio Guillamondequi and former army Col. Ruben Victor Visuara.

Lawyers for the men had no immediate comment.

Federal Judge Daniel Rafecas issued 16 arrest warrants for dictatorship-era suspects, the newspaper La Nacion reported Thursday.

Rafecas said he ordered the new arrests in an investigation involving 70 victims at the former Automotores Orletti torture center in the Argentine capital. Prosecutors say some 35 Uruguayans were held there under Plan Condor _ a coordinated effort by Latin American military regimes to repress political opponents.

The move came after President Nestor Kirchner on Tuesday urged Argentina's judiciary to act more quickly on cases dating to the so-called Dirty War.

In June 2005, Argentina's Supreme Court overturned a pair of 1980s amnesty laws sheltering scores of former military and police officers from prosecution. Two Dirty War trials began last month, with one of them leading to a 25-year sentence for a former police officer.

According to official estimates, 13,000 people were killed or disappeared during the junta years. Human rights groups say the toll is closer to 30,000.

Human rights groups say Guglielminetti joined the intelligence services in the 1970s and later benefited from the amnesty laws, continuing to work as an agent after the restoration of democracy.

Rafecas has also requested the extradition of about 10 former Uruguayan military officers.