Madrid - Argentina has rejected a request by a Spanish judge to arrest ex-military leaders for the deaths of Spaniards during the 1976-83 dictatorship, according to judicial documents released yesterday. The request was filed by Judge Baltasar Garzon, renowned for his attempt to extradite former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from Britain.
Around 30,000 people disappeared during Argentina's "dirty war" against suspected left-wing guerrillas. Many of the 50 leaders Mr Garzon is seeking to question were already tried in Argentina and found guilty of human rights abuses, only to be pardoned in 1990 by then president Carlos Menem.