Argentina Seeks Arrest of Iranian Minister for 1994 Jewish Center Bombing

Interpol Issues Red Alert for Iran's Interior Minister

Argentina has officially requested Interpol to detain Iran's Interior Minister, Ahmed Vahidi, for his alleged involvement in the 1994 terrorist attack on a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. The attack resulted in the death of 85 individuals. The Argentine Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that a red alert had been issued and that they have approached the governments of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where Vahidi is currently visiting, to arrest him.

Historical Context and Judicial Findings

On April 12, an Argentine court determined that Iran was behind the 1994 bombing of the AMIA building and a prior 1992 attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, which killed 29 people. Although no group claimed responsibility for the 1994 attack, it has long been suspected by Argentina and Israel to have been executed by Hezbollah at Iran's behest. The court described the attack as a "crime against humanity" and implicated senior Iranian officials and Hezbollah in the planning and execution.

Previous Allegations and International Repercussions

The Argentine judiciary has previously accused other senior Iranian figures, including the country’s president at the time, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, of orchestrating the attacks. In 2006, Argentina sought the extradition of eight Iranians, including Vahidi, who was Iran's defense minister under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The case has seen significant international and political ramifications, including a controversial memorandum signed in 2013 by then-President Cristina Kirchner with Iran, allowing Argentine prosecutors to investigate the suspects abroad. This move was heavily criticized by Argentina's Jewish community.

The Mysterious Death of Prosecutor Alberto Nisman

The case regained attention in 2015 when prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who had opened an investigation into Kirchner's handling of the affair, was found dead under mysterious circumstances just hours before he was due to testify before Congress. His death, ruled as either suicide or murder, sparked widespread speculation about possible foul play.

In conclusion, the Argentine government continues to pursue justice for the victims of the 1994 bombing, seeking international cooperation to arrest those deemed responsible for orchestrating one of the deadliest attacks in the country's history.