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Verdict due on 'Dirty War' priest 'Dirty War' priest gets life term
(about 12 hours later)
A verdict is expected in the trial of a priest accused of collaborating in murders by the authorities during Argentina's 1976-1983 "Dirty War". A court in Argentina has convicted a former Roman Catholic police chaplain of collaborating in murders during the country's military dictatorship.
Former Roman Catholic police chaplain Christian Von Wernich, 69, was involved in seven murders, 42 abductions and 31 cases of torture, it is alleged. Christian Von Wernich, 69, was convicted for involvement in seven murders, 42 abductions and 31 cases of torture during the 1976-83 "Dirty War".
He is accused of passing confessions he obtained from prisoners to the police. He passed confessions he obtained from prisoners to the police.
Following a three-month trial near Buenos Aires, prosecutors are demanding he be jailed for life. As he was sentenced, Father Von Wernich showed no emotion. Protesters torched his effigy outside the court.
Father Von Wernich is accused of using his office to win the trust of prisoners before passing information to police torturers and killers in secret detention centres. The trial in the town of La Plata near Buenos Aires had lasted for three months.
He also allegedly attended a number of torture sessions himself and told the police they were doing God's work. Prosecutors said Father Von Wernich used his office to win the trust of prisoners before passing information to police torturers and killers in secret detention centres.
Father Von Wernich accused torture victims who gave evidence in court of being possessed by the devil.
He worked under a false name in Chile, but investigators tracked him down and he was arrested four years ago.He worked under a false name in Chile, but investigators tracked him down and he was arrested four years ago.
Father Von Wernich initially avoided prosecution under amnesty laws.Father Von Wernich initially avoided prosecution under amnesty laws.
But these were later declared unconstitutional and some of those responsible for the killing of an estimated 30,000 people during military rule are finally being brought to trial.But these were later declared unconstitutional and some of those responsible for the killing of an estimated 30,000 people during military rule are finally being brought to trial.