Argentina overturns pardon for 'Dirty War' officer

BUENOS AIRES, July 13 (Reuters) Argentina's Supreme Court today voided a presidential pardon of a former military officer accused of human rights abuses during the country's 1976-83 dictatorship.

The decision declared the pardon of ex-army commander Santiago Omar Riveros unconstitutional and clears the way for lower courts to consider repealing dozens of other pardons.

The ruling is the latest by the high court as it reexamines pardons and amnesty laws for ''Dirty War'' military officials at the urging of President Nestor Kirchner.

A government report says 11,000 people either died or disappeared during the military's six-year crackdown on dissent, but human rights groups say the number is closer to 30,000.

The court voted 4-2 with one abstention that Riveros could face trial on charges of abduction, torture and murder.

Many ranking military officers were tried on charges of rights violations after Argentina's return to democracy in 1983 and ordered imprisoned two years later.

But after a series of military uprisings, Congress enacted two amnesty laws to temper anger in the barracks.

In 1990, then-President Carlos Menem issued a pardon for high-ranking military officials in an attempt at what he called ''national reconciliation.'' Two years ago, the Argentine high court struck down the amnesty laws.

Many of the junta's top leaders, including former Gen.

Jorge Videla and Adm. Emilio Massera, are currently under house arrest on charges of kidnapping babies born to mothers held in captivity during military rule.

REUTERS RKM BST0255