A lawyer representing Argentina, Arturo Salerni, confirmed that Italy’s highest criminal court has upheld the extradition of Italian priest Rev. Franco Reverberi. Reverberi, now 86, is sought by Argentina for his alleged involvement in murder and torture during the country’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
The decision, affirmed by Italy’s Court of Cassation, marks the final ruling after an appeal by Reverberi was rejected by a Bologna appeal court.
According to Salerni, this decision is a significant step in the ongoing pursuit of truth and justice by the families of the victims affected during the brutal years of the Argentine dictatorship.
Salerni emphasized the affirmation of universal jurisdiction over human rights violations.
Reverberi, who currently resides in Sorbolo, Italy, faces charges related to the killing of José Guillermo Berón and the alleged complicity in the torture of several other individuals during his time as a military chaplain in Argentina. Having emigrated from Italy to Argentina at a young age, Reverberi left the country in 2011 after testimonies from survivors and family members in the first trial began to implicate his involvement in crimes against humanity during the dictatorship.
Human rights activists estimate that up to 30,000 people were either killed or went missing during Argentina’s military dictatorship, making Reverberi’s case a part of a larger effort to seek justice for the victims of the era.
