This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6272682.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Argentine priest in murder trial Argentine priest in murder trial
(about 16 hours later)
The trial is due to begin in Argentina of one of the most notorious figures of the military government in power between 1976 and 1983. A trial has begun in Argentina of one of the most notorious figures of the military government in power between 1976 and 1983.
Roman Catholic priest Christian Von Wernich is accused of involvement in seven murders and 41 cases of kidnapping and torture. Roman Catholic priest and former police chaplain Christian Von Wernich is accused of involvement in seven murders and 41 cases of kidnapping and torture.
He escaped prosecution under amnesty laws which were later declared unconstitutional.He escaped prosecution under amnesty laws which were later declared unconstitutional.
Security is tight. More than 100 witnesses have special protection.Security is tight. More than 100 witnesses have special protection.
It is a trial is one the people of Argentina have been waiting a long time for. Father Von Wernich, 69, appeared in court wearing a bulletproof vest. He seemed calm, almost bored, and said little as a long list of accusations was read out.
False nameFalse name
Father Von Wernich was chaplain to the Buenos Aires provincial police force, and he is accused of using his office to win the trust of prisoners before passing information to the police torturers and killers who were holding them. He served as chaplain to the Buenos Aires provincial police force, and he is accused of using his office to win the trust of prisoners before passing information to the police torturers and killers who were holding them.
The case is expected to last two months
He is also reported to have attended a number of torture sessions himself and reassured the police that they were doing God's work.He is also reported to have attended a number of torture sessions himself and reassured the police that they were doing God's work.
He escaped prosecution after the democratic governments that followed the military passed amnesty laws.He escaped prosecution after the democratic governments that followed the military passed amnesty laws.
Father Von Wernich worked under a false name in Chile, but investigators tracked him down and he was arrested four years ago.Father Von Wernich worked under a false name in Chile, but investigators tracked him down and he was arrested four years ago.
Those amnesty laws have since been declared unconstitutional and some of those responsible for the killing of an estimated 30,000 people under military rule between 1976 and 1983 are finally being brought to trial in Argentina.Those amnesty laws have since been declared unconstitutional and some of those responsible for the killing of an estimated 30,000 people under military rule between 1976 and 1983 are finally being brought to trial in Argentina.
But witnesses have been threatened and one, Julio Lopez, disappeared after giving evidence at a trial last year and has not been seen since.But witnesses have been threatened and one, Julio Lopez, disappeared after giving evidence at a trial last year and has not been seen since.
The trial is expected to last two months.The trial is expected to last two months.