Argentine Court Declares Pact With Iran Unconstitutional
Federal judges in Argentina declared unconstitutional the government’s cooperation with Iran on the investigation of the 1994 explosion of the AMIA Jewish community building.
Court Nr. 1 of the Federal Chamber made the ruling after deliberations on a petition for an injunction filed by representatives of the Jewish community who argued against cooperating with Iran because of evidence that linked Iran’s government to the bombing.
Argentinean Justice Minister Julio Alak told the AFP news agency that the government intended to appeal. “The ultimate interpreter of the constitution will be the Supreme Court,” he said.
In early 2013, Argentina’s congress approved, at the request of the executive branch, an agreement with Tehran to form a truth commission to investigate the bombing, which Argentinean authorities believe was carried out by Hezbollah with Iranian assistance.
The explosion at the AMIA building left 85 people dead and 300 others injured. Hezbollah and Iran have denied any involvement in the bombing.
Argentine courts are seeking the extradition of several Iranians, including former officials, whom Argentine prosecutors accused of involvement in the attack.
The federal court instructed Argentinean justice officials to reiterate requests for extradition of Iranian officials and requested Interpol re-examine the arrest warrants for Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, a former president, Ali Akbar Velayati a former foreign minister, and Hadi Soleimanpour, a top foreign ministry official, in connection with the bombing.
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