Luis Alberto Sarmiento’s arrest warrant was reversed
Gendarmes in Sarmiento's house (Photo: DyN)
After a medical report which indicated that the retired Colonel suffers from an ailment with a worsening health condition that precludes inquiry, the judge from Posadas decided to reverse the indictment for crimes against humanity.
Colonel Sarmiento’s daughter, Maria Jose Sarmiento, ruled against he use of the BCRA’s reserves. And her father’s arrest warrant sparked a heated controversy. The judge accused the government of being behind the arrest and “pressuring” her.
Luis Alberto Sarmiento, an 85-year-old retired Colonel, was arrested at his home in Barrio Norte by order of a Misiones province court, with the intention to question him on his suspected involvement in crimes committed during Argentina’s last dictatorship in the province of Misiones.
But forensic experts determined that Sarmiento was not in suitable health conditions to be taken to Misiones.
According to what judge Sarmiento said, Gendarmerie officers showed up at his home to inform him of the arrest.
“The police told us that if we didn’t open they would throw the door open”, said Judge Sarmiento, stressing that her father “is in a wheelchair and suffers from Parkinson’s Disease”.
In addition, Sarmiento did not hesitate to assert that the incident was “obviously related” to the confrontation with the national government on her failed attempts to freeze the use of the BCRA’s reserves for the original creation of the Bicentennial Fund.
“We never knew that there was a cause or a complaint against him, and we now see with this search and arrest warrant. It seems strange this,” Sarmiento said in several television channels.
She added: “Since I issued the ruling I feel the Government’s response is totally disproportionate and unexpected. That won’t prevent me from further working, but it’s not the same. Sometimes I’m afraid”.
Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez flatly rejected the Governments involvement with the arrest. “It’s outrageous that a judge is giving the impression that this is a revenge move from the Government. What do political power and the Government have to do with this? A judge from Misiones ordered the detention. What do I have to do? The Judge’s petition is wholly undemocratic,” said Fernandez.
The colonel served as Interior Minister of Misiones in 1976 and 1977, during the first stage of the Argentine dictatorship, and is charged along with other alleged oppressors, in a cause over more than 40 acts of unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture, and torture followed by death.
In principle, the colonel was arrested, but hours later the judge from Misiones reversed his decision because of the inability to carry out the inquiry.
Forensic Medical Corps checked Colonel Sarmiento’s health and concluded that he couldn’t be transferred to Misiones because he suffers from a “degenerative disease” in an advanced stage.
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