Priest Jailed for 'dirty War' Crimes

A Catholic priest in Argentina has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison for collaborating with the right wing military dictatorship more than 20 years ago.

The case of Christian Federico von Wernich, 69, a former police chaplain at clandestine detention centers, has highlighted the church's alleged complicity with a regime which kidnapped, tortured and murdered thousands during the "dirty war". Fireworks and cheers greeted the sentence delivered by a court in La Plata, south of Buenos Aires, on Tuesday after a three-month trial which has gripped the country. Human rights groups called the ruling historic.

Von Wernich was accused of using his position to comfort prisoners, many of them students and left wing activists, before betraying their confidences to the police. The prisoners would be murdered and the colleagues they had identified kidnapped. The prosecution accused him of complicity in seven murders, 42 kidnappings and 31 cases of torture. Several witnesses said he was present during torture sessions and killings.

Von Wernich, wearing a flak jacket and priest's collar, denied the charges and suggested he had been framed. "False witness is the devil, because it is filled with malice. In 2,000 years of history no priest of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church has violated the sacraments," he said.

The church issued a statement saying it was "moved by the pain caused by the participation of a priest in grave crimes" and expressing hope that the case would pave the way to reconciliation.