Argentina to compensate victims of 1994 Jewish center bombing
One-time pament will be similar to that awarded to victims of Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship
Argentine politicians passed a law Wednesday aimed at providing financial compensation to the victims of the 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center.
The bombing at the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) killed 85 people and wounded 300, in the deadliest terror strike to hit the South American country.
Remo Carlotto, who heads the country’s Human Rights Commission, said the compensation would be similar to that awarded to victims of Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship and a 1992 attack on the Israeli embassy, in which 29 people died and 200 were injured.
Officials did not provide specifics but said the compensation would be in the form of a one-time benefit to the heirs of the 85 people killed, as well as to those who were wounded.
The July 18, 1994 bombing, which saw a van loaded with explosives detonated in front of the Jewish center, was ordered by Iran and carried out by a suicide bomber from Hezbollah, prosecutor Alberto Nisman established.
Since 2006, Argentine courts have demanded the extradition of eight Iranians for the bombing, but Tehran denies involvement in the attack.
The case came back into the spotlight earlier this year after Nisman was found dead in what his family says was an assassination.
Nisman had accused President Cristina Kirchner of shielding high-ranking Iranian officials from being implicated in the bombing in exchange for oil and trade benefits from Tehran.
