Spanish Supreme Court Affirms Conviction of Argentine Former Naval Officer for Crimes Against Humanity

12 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2008

See all articles by Richard J. Wilson

Richard J. Wilson

American University - Washington College of Law

Abstract

This article summarizes the legal issues involved in the consideration by the Spanish Supreme Court of the appeal of the conviction by the Spanish Audiencia Nacional court of Adolfo Scilingo, an Argentine military officer, for crimes against humanity in Argentina. It discusses the legal analysis of the court and their reluctant acceptance of the notion of universal jurisdiction in Spain. The article also discusses the ongoing legal disputes in the long pre-trial saga of Miguel Angel Cavallo, another Argentine officer in Spanish custody whose trial is still pending, several years after his extradition from Mexico. Finally, the article discusses the ever-expanding scope of Spanish universal jurisdiction to reach crimes alleged to have been committed in Guatemala, Tibet, China, Western Sahara and on the high seas between Africa and Spain, as well as recent statutory expansion of the universal jurisdiction statute in Spain.

Keywords: Spain, Argentine, Dirty War, Crimes Against Humanity, Human Rights

Suggested Citation

Wilson, Richard J., Spanish Supreme Court Affirms Conviction of Argentine Former Naval Officer for Crimes Against Humanity. ASIL Insights, Vol. 12, 2008, American University, WCL Research Paper No. 2008-30, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1090245

Richard J. Wilson (Contact Author)

American University - Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
United States

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