[JURIST] Former Argentine Navy captain Adolfo Scilingo appeared in a Spanish court Friday where he is on trial for committing genocide during Argentina's "Dirty War." In addition to genocide, Scilingo also faces 30 charges of murder, 93 of causing injury, 255 terrorism charges, and 286 torture charges, all stemming from Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship. The trial, authorized under a Spanish law granting jurisdiction over anyone suspected of crimes against humanity even if the acts took place outside Spain, marks the first time that a member of the former Argentine military regime will be tried for genocide. In his Friday court appearance, Scilingo was declared fit to stand trial, despite Scilingo's ongoing hunger strike. Scilingo refused to answer the judge's questions and the trial was adjourned until Monday. The Vanished Gallery [advocacy website] has background on Scilingo [reprinted Time Magazine article]. BBC has more on Friday's developments and IPS has background on the trial. La Nacion has local coverage from Argentina.
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