Florida man to stand trial over mass shooting of political prisoners in Argentina's 1972 "Dirty War"

An unassuming 79-year-old Argentinian businessman, who has been living in Florida for decades, will soon face trial over his alleged participation in the mass shooting of at least 19 people in Argentina 50 years ago.

Roberto Guillermo Bravo – a former Argentinian naval officer and diplomat – stands accused of participating in what is known as the Trelew Massacre, a mass shooting of political prisoners in August 1972 while Argentina was ruled under dictatorship, The Independent reported. 

An estimated 30,000 people lost their lives during what has since been termed the nation’s “dirty war.”

Although the families of the victims struggled to obtain any information about the fate of their loved ones for decades, some have teamed up with activists in the U.S. in order to bring charges against Bravo in a civil action under the Torture Victim Protection Act.

Later this month, lawyers for some of those families will present evidence that they believe will show Bravo participated in the massacre in an attempt convince a jury to find him legally responsible for the murders.

Attorney Ela Matthews with the Centre for Justice and Accountability, a lawyer working with the families, said the case will focus on the anguish and pain suffered by the relatives of those who were killed 50 years ago – but believes it could also carry a much broader message.  

“The case is about our clients’ quest for justice for 50 years, but I think our clients do see themselves as representatives for all the families of the massacre,” she told The Independent. She said the CJA had a record of helping people around the world who were political prisoners or had stood up to “repressive regimes.”

Bravo, who is being held at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District, will be tried for the killing of Eduardo Cappello, Rubén Bonet, and Ana María Villareal de Santucho.

Prosecutors in Argentina also want to try Bravo for alleged murder and have been seeking his extradition to stand trial.

Bravo is fighting efforts to extradite him to Argentina, and 10 years ago was successful when a previous attempt was made.