Spain's Supreme Court on Friday cleared the way to extradite 39 Argentine "Dirty War" figures including former President Jorge Videla who are wanted in Spain for atrocities during Argentina's 1976-83 military rule, Reuters reported. The court ruled in favour of an appeal that sought to overturn a decision by Spain's previous, conservative government not to seek the extradition of Videla, former navy chief Emilio Massera and others. "We annul that agreement because it does not conform to the law," the 23-page ruling by Spain's second highest court concluded. Spain's government "should pass on (the extradition requests) through diplomatic channels to the Argentine government," the order said. Spanish High Court Judge Baltasar Garzon has sought to try the Argentines for atrocities committed during the counterinsurgency against violent leftist insurgents that ensnared untold numbers of innocent civilians. Spain's High Court has asserted powers to try suspects for genocide, terrorism or torture committed anywhere in the world if Spanish victims are involved.
