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Italy targets former Uruguayan naval officer over role in alleged torture Italy targets former Uruguayan naval officer over role in alleged torture
(8 months later)
Italian prosecutors are poised to seek charges of murder and kidnapping against a former Uruguayan naval intelligence officer accused of participating in South America's dirty wars.Italian prosecutors are poised to seek charges of murder and kidnapping against a former Uruguayan naval intelligence officer accused of participating in South America's dirty wars.
Jorge Néstor Fernández Troccoli has denied any wrongdoing. But in a 24-page document, he was said to have acknowledged that, in the 1970s when Uruguay's civil-military government was cracking down on suspected leftwing insurgents and sympathisers, torture was a "normal procedure" in his unit. He insisted, however, that it did not go beyond "keeping prisoners for several hours on their feet without eating or drinking".Jorge Néstor Fernández Troccoli has denied any wrongdoing. But in a 24-page document, he was said to have acknowledged that, in the 1970s when Uruguay's civil-military government was cracking down on suspected leftwing insurgents and sympathisers, torture was a "normal procedure" in his unit. He insisted, however, that it did not go beyond "keeping prisoners for several hours on their feet without eating or drinking".
In what La Stampa reported was his only statement to investigators, he was quoted as saying: "I declare myself innocent. I do not accept the accusations."In what La Stampa reported was his only statement to investigators, he was quoted as saying: "I declare myself innocent. I do not accept the accusations."
Troccoli's lawyer likened his client to Christ on the cross, adding: "He was just a young lieutenant. He reported to his superiors." Police and prosecutors in Rome have been investigating Troccoli for more than seven years as part of an inquiry rooted in Italy's nationality laws. Since these put more emphasis on descent than place of birth, many people of Italian origin have – or, like Troccoli, can obtain – an Italian passport. But, for the same reason, some victims of repression in Latin America are considered Italians, and their fate a matter for Italian courts.Troccoli's lawyer likened his client to Christ on the cross, adding: "He was just a young lieutenant. He reported to his superiors." Police and prosecutors in Rome have been investigating Troccoli for more than seven years as part of an inquiry rooted in Italy's nationality laws. Since these put more emphasis on descent than place of birth, many people of Italian origin have – or, like Troccoli, can obtain – an Italian passport. But, for the same reason, some victims of repression in Latin America are considered Italians, and their fate a matter for Italian courts.
According to the indictment request, Troccoli served from 1976 at a base of the country's marines, the Fusileros Navales or FUSNA. It became notorious for allegations of torture that mostly date from 1977 and 1978.According to the indictment request, Troccoli served from 1976 at a base of the country's marines, the Fusileros Navales or FUSNA. It became notorious for allegations of torture that mostly date from 1977 and 1978.
La Stampa said Troccoli's Uruguayan passport was confiscated after he and other ex-officers wereput on trial in the capital, Montevideo. He left Uruguay using his Italian passport and settled with his wife in Camerota, a resort south of Naples, where he was known as "George". Local people said he was devoted to an elderly Dachshund who was almost blind.La Stampa said Troccoli's Uruguayan passport was confiscated after he and other ex-officers wereput on trial in the capital, Montevideo. He left Uruguay using his Italian passport and settled with his wife in Camerota, a resort south of Naples, where he was known as "George". Local people said he was devoted to an elderly Dachshund who was almost blind.
He was arrested in 2007, then freed a few months later after Uruguay missed a deadline for submitting extradition papers. Another Italian court had earlier ruled there was insufficient evidence against him. He was arrested in 2007, then freed a few months later after Uruguay missed a deadline for submitting extradition papers. Another Italian court had earlier ruled there was insufficient evidence against him.
He recently left Camerota. La Stampa tracked him to a nearby town. A reporter who called the house quoted him as saying: "Forget about me. Indeed, consider me dead."He recently left Camerota. La Stampa tracked him to a nearby town. A reporter who called the house quoted him as saying: "Forget about me. Indeed, consider me dead."