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{{short description|Chilean army general and secret policeman (born 1938)}}
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'''Raúl Eduardo Iturriaga Neumann''' (born 23 January 1938) is a [[Chilean Army]] general and a former deputy director of the [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional|DINA]], the Chilean secret police under the [[Augusto Pinochet]] [[military dictatorship]]. He was in charge of a secret [[Internment camp|detention center]] known as ''[[Venda_Sexy|La Venda Sexy]]'' ("Sexy Blindfold") and ''La Discothèque'' — because of the [[sexual abuse]] inflicted on blindfolded prisoners as loud music masked their screams.<ref name=LAT/> An aide to General [[Manuel Contreras]], head of the DINA, he was in charge of several assassinations carried out as part of [[Operation Condor]]. He has been condemned ''[[trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' in Italy for the failed murder of Christian-Democrat [[Bernardo Leighton]],<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=Two Chileans Convicted in 1975 Shooting|date=1995-06-23|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> and is wanted both in Spain and in Argentina. In the latter country, he is accused of the assassination of General [[Carlos Prats]].<ref name=LAT2>Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonnell [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chile16jun16,1,3140318.story?coll=la-util-nationworld-world Fugitive ex-general stirs 'dirty war' animosities in Chile], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 16 June 2007</ref>


'''Raúl Eduardo Iturriaga Neumann''' (born 23 January 1938) is a [[Chilean Army]] general and a former deputy director of the [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional|DINA]], the Chilean secret police under the [[Augusto Pinochet]] [[military dictatorship]]. He was in charge of a secret [[Internment camp|detention center]] known as ''[[Venda_Sexy|La Venda Sexy]]'' ("Sexy Blindfold") and ''La Discothèque''—because of the [[sexual abuse]] inflicted on blindfolded prisoners as loud music masked their screams.<ref name=LAT/> An aide to General [[Manuel Contreras]], head of the DINA, he was in charge of several assassinations carried out as part of [[Operation Condor]]. He has been condemned ''[[trial in absentia|in absentia]]'' in Italy for the failed murder of Christian-Democrat [[Bernardo Leighton]],<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=Two Chileans Convicted in 1975 Shooting|date=23 June 1995|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> and is wanted both in Spain and in Argentina. In the latter country, he is accused of the assassination of General [[Carlos Prats]].<ref name=LAT2>Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonnell [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chile16jun16,1,3140318.story?coll=la-util-nationworld-world "Fugitive ex-general stirs 'dirty war' animosities in Chile"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 16 June 2007</ref> He was later found to have played a prominent role in the assassination of Spanish-Chilean United Nations diplomat [[Carmelo Soria]] as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/332259-chilean-ex-military-officers-convicted-for-murder-of-spanish-diplomat|title=Chilean ex-military officers convicted for murder of Spanish diplomat|first=Ed|last=Newman|publisher=Radio Havana|date=24 August 2023|accessdate=15 November 2023}}</ref>
In June 2007 Iturriaga went into hiding as a result of the 10-year prison sentence handed down by judge Alejandro Solís (reduced to five years by the [[Chilean Supreme Court]]) for the [[forced disappearance|sequestration]] of [[Revolutionary Left Movement (Chile)|Revolutionary Left Movement]] member Luis San Martín.<ref name=Pais>[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/general/chileno/declara/rebeldia/fallo/le/condena/anos/elpepuint/20070614elpepuint_5/Tes Un general chileno se declara en rebeldía contra un fallo que le condena a 5 años], ''[[El País]]'', 14 June 2007</ref> He was finally captured in August 2007 in [[Viña del Mar]].<ref name=LAT/>


In June 2007 Iturriaga went into hiding to escape a 10-year prison sentence handed down by judge Alejandro Solís (reduced to five years by the [[Chilean Supreme Court]]) for the [[forced disappearance]] of [[Revolutionary Left Movement (Chile)|Revolutionary Left Movement]] member Luis San Martín.<ref name=Pais>[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/general/chileno/declara/rebeldia/fallo/le/condena/anos/elpepuint/20070614elpepuint_5/Tes Un general chileno se declara en rebeldía contra un fallo que le condena a 5 años], ''[[El País]]'', 14 June 2007</ref> He was finally captured in August 2007 in [[Viña del Mar]].<ref name=LAT/>
== Life and career ==


== Life and career ==
Raúl Iturriaga became instructor in [[counter-insurgency]] after following courses with his future chief, [[Manuel Contreras]], in [[Fort Gulick]],<ref name=Mentira>[http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/chile/libros/119/cap7.html La Gran Mentira – El caso de las "Listas de los 119" (capitulo 7)], published by [[Equipo Nizkor]]</ref> an installation of the United States Department of Defense [[Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation|School of the Americas]] based in the [[Panama Canal]].<ref name=Memoria>[http://www.memoriaviva.com/culpables/criminales%20i/Raul_Iturriaga.htm Raúl Iturriaga], ''Memoria Viva''</ref> He joined the [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional|DINA]] in November 1973, less than a month after [[Chilean 1973 coup|Pinochet's coup]] against [[Salvador Allende]]. First responsible for the Department of Exterior Affairs of the DINA, he was named head of the Brigada Purén, based in the torture center [[Villa Grimaldi]], in December 1975.<ref name=Mentira/>
Raúl Iturriaga became an instructor in [[counter-insurgency]] after following courses with his future chief, [[Manuel Contreras]], in [[Fort Gulick]],<ref name=Mentira>[http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/chile/libros/119/cap7.html La Gran Mentira – El caso de las "Listas de los 119" (capitulo 7)], published by [[Equipo Nizkor]]</ref> an installation of the United States Department of Defense [[Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation|School of the Americas]] based in the [[Panama Canal]].<ref name=Memoria>[http://www.memoriaviva.com/culpables/criminales%20i/Raul_Iturriaga.htm Raúl Iturriaga], ''Memoria Viva''</ref> He joined the [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional|DINA]] in November 1973, less than three months after [[Chilean 1973 coup|Pinochet's coup]] against [[Salvador Allende]]. First responsible for the Department of Exterior Affairs of the DINA, he was named head of the Brigada Purén, based in the torture center [[Villa Grimaldi]], in December 1975.<ref name=Mentira/>


He attended a special military course again in Panama in 1976. Iturriaga became vice-director of Intelligence in DINA in 1977, before also taking charge of its Economic Department, responsible for firms owned by DINA.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}
He attended a special military course again in Panama in 1976. Iturriaga became vice-director of intelligence in DINA in 1977, before also taking charge of its economic department, responsible for firms owned by DINA.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}


Iturriaga was responsible for [[Operation Colombo]], during which political opponents "disappeared" in Argentina while Santiago claimed they had killed themselves as a result of political in-fighting.<ref name=Mentira/><ref name=Memoria/> Although he officially retired in 1991, an association of victims claims that he has maintained links with [[DINE]], DINA's successor.<ref name=Memoria/>
Iturriaga was responsible for ''[[Operation Colombo]]'', during which political opponents "disappeared" in Argentina while Santiago claimed they had killed themselves as a result of political in-fighting.<ref name=Mentira/><ref name=Memoria/> Although he officially retired in 1991, an association of victims claims that he has maintained links with [[DINE]], DINA's successor.<ref name=Memoria/>


== Criminal prosecution ==
== Criminal prosecution ==
In 1989, before the [[Chilean transition to democracy|transition to democracy]], Iturriaga was elevated to the highest grade of general in the [[Chilean Armed Forces]], with his base in [[Iquique]]. He officially retired in 1991 as general. The same year, he was interrogated by Minister [[Adolfo Bañados]] concerning the DINA's role in the assassination of [[Orlando Letelier]], Salvador Allende's former minister, in Washington, D.C.<ref name="Memoria" />


In 1995, Iturriaga was also sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in Italy for the 1975 [[Leighton case|failed assassination attempt]] against Christian Democrat [[Bernardo Leighton]] in Rome, in part because of the testimony supplied by [[Michael Townley]].<ref name="AP" />
In 1989, before the [[Chilean transition to democracy|transition to democracy]], Raúl Iturriaga was elevated to the highest grade of General in the [[Chilean Armed Forces]], with his base in [[Iquique]]. He officially retired in 1991 as General. The same year, he was interrogated by Minister [[Adolfo Bañados]] concerning the [[Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional|DINA]]'s role in the assassination of [[Orlando Letelier]], [[Salvador Allende]]'s former minister, in Washington, D.C.<ref name="Memoria" />

In 1995, Raúl Iturriaga was also sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in Italy for the 1975 [[Leighton case|failed assassination attempt]] against Christian Democrat [[Bernardo Leighton]] in Rome, in part because of the testimony supplied by [[Michael Townley]].<ref name="AP" />


In 2002, he was indicted for the "disappearance" of [[Víctor Olea Alegría|Víctor Olea]] in September 1974.<ref>''[[El Mercurio]]'', 9 March 2002, ''Someten a proceso a Raúl Iturriaga Neumann'' (quoted by [http://www.memoriaviva.com/culpables/criminales%20i/Raul_Iturriaga.htm Raúl Iturriaga], ''Memoria Viva'')</ref>
In 2002, he was indicted for the "disappearance" of [[Víctor Olea Alegría|Víctor Olea]] in September 1974.<ref>''[[El Mercurio]]'', 9 March 2002, ''Someten a proceso a Raúl Iturriaga Neumann'' (quoted by [http://www.memoriaviva.com/culpables/criminales%20i/Raul_Iturriaga.htm Raúl Iturriaga], ''Memoria Viva'')</ref>


The following year he was indicted by magistrate Alejandro Solís, along with his former chief [[Manuel Contreras]] and General [[Pedro Espinoza]], for the assassination of General [[Carlos Prats]] and his wife in Buenos Aires on 30 September 1974 in Buenos Aires. He is also claimed by the Spanish magistrate [[Baltasar Garzón]].<ref name="Pais" /> The Prats Case, part of [[Operation Condor]], opened up in Chile following an [[extradition]] request made by the Argentine magistrate [[María Servini de Cubría]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}
The following year he was indicted by magistrate Alejandro Solís, along with his former chief [[Manuel Contreras]] and General [[Pedro Espinoza]], for the assassination of General [[Carlos Prats]] and his wife in Buenos Aires on 30 September 1974. He is also claimed by the Spanish magistrate [[Baltasar Garzón]].<ref name="Pais" /> The Prats case, part of ''[[Operation Condor]]'', opened up in Chile following an [[extradition]] request made by the Argentine magistrate [[María Servini de Cubría]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}


The former vice-head of staff of the Chilean Army, General [[Guillermo Garín]], who was also Pinochet's spokesman, gave his support to Iturriaga following his escape on 11 June 2007.<ref name=Pais/> Iturriaga had been sentenced to five years for the kidnapping of [[Luis Dagoberto San Martín]], a 21-year-old opponent of Pinochet who "disappeared" in a DINA detention centre in 1974. In a June 2007 video broadcast, Iturriaga stated: "I openly rebel before this arbitrary, biased, unconstitutional and anti-judicial conviction."<ref name=LAT2/>
The former vice-head of staff of the Chilean Army, General [[Guillermo Garín]], who was also Pinochet's spokesman, gave his support to Iturriaga following his escape on 11 June 2007.<ref name=Pais/> Iturriaga had been sentenced to five years for the kidnapping of [[Luis Dagoberto San Martín]], a 21-year-old opponent of Pinochet who "disappeared" in a DINA detention centre in 1974. In a June 2007 video broadcast, Iturriaga stated: "I openly rebel before this arbitrary, biased, unconstitutional and anti-judicial conviction."<ref name=LAT2/>


Head of DINA Manuel Contreras has been the only other General to have contested the Chilean justice during democratic rule. Contreras was on the run from justice for two months, taking refuge in the South and then in a military regiment, before being captured by security forces and detained.<ref name=Pais/> On the other hand, various deputies, including [[Isabel Allende Bussi|Isabel Allende]] ([[Socialist Party of Chile|PS]]), [[Antonio Leal]] ([[Party for Democracy (Chile)|PPD]]), [[Tucapel Jiménez]] (PPD), and also [[Iván Moreira]] ([[Independent Democratic Union|UDI]]), have condemned Iturriaga's flight from justice. Tucapel Jiménez warned of the existence of a "network" of protectors, as did [[Jaime Naranjo]] (PS).<ref>[http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/artic/20070613/pags/20070613173715.html Parlamentarios repudian rebeldía de general Iturriaga Neumann], ''[[La Nación (Chile)]]'', 13 June 2007</ref>
Head of DINA Manuel Contreras has been the only other general to have contested the Chilean justice during democratic rule. Contreras was on the run from justice for two months, taking refuge in the south and then in a military regiment, before being captured by security forces and detained.<ref name=Pais/> However, various deputies, including [[Isabel Allende Bussi|Isabel Allende]] ([[Socialist Party of Chile|PS]]), [[Antonio Leal]] ([[Party for Democracy (Chile)|PPD]]), [[Tucapel Jiménez]] (PPD), and also [[Iván Moreira]] ([[Independent Democratic Union|UDI]]), have condemned Iturriaga's flight from justice. Jiménez warned of the existence of a "network" of protectors, as did [[Jaime Naranjo]] (PS).<ref>[http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/artic/20070613/pags/20070613173715.html Parlamentarios repudian rebeldía de general Iturriaga Neumann], ''[[La Nación (Chile)]]'', 13 June 2007</ref>


On 2 August 2007, Iturriaga was captured in the Pacific coastal city of [[Viña del Mar]].<ref name=LAT>Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonneln [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chile3aug03,0,1144327.story?coll=la-home-world Pinochet-era general is caught], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 3 August 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/092/article_54779.asp|title=Arrestation d’un ancien général en fuite|last=Martin|first=Claire|date=3 August 2007|website=RFI|access-date=2019-08-01}}</ref> Judge Alejandro Solis explained that no investigation would be opened on his disappearance, as it is not considered a crime in Chilean law to disappear when one is on [[parole]], which Iturriaga was until June 2007.<ref name=Coop/><ref name=RFI>Claire Martin, [http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/092/article_54779.asp Arrestation d’un ancien général en fuite], ''[[Radio France International|RFI]]'', 3 August 2007</ref> He was sent to the Penal Cordillera prison in the [[Valparaíso Region]], located in a military property. Left-wing deputies of the ''[[Concertación]]'', such as [[Carlos Montes]] ([[Socialist Party of Chile|PS]]) and [[Denisse Pascal]] (PS), requested his transfer to the Punta Peuco prison, considered as more tightly guarded and where condemned military personnel would enjoy less freedom of action than in the military prison.<ref name=N>[http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/artic/20070730/pags/20070730145350.html Diputados concertacionistas pidieron que Punta Peuco sea la única cárcel para militares], ''[[La Nación (Santiago)|La Nación]]'', 30 July 2007</ref> [[Adriana Muñoz (politician)|Adriana Muñoz]] compared the Penal Cordillera prison to the "[[Bermuda Triangle]]", because from there people disappeared just like if they had been kidnapped by [[UFO]]s."<ref name=Coop>[http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/antialone.html?page=http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/site/artic/20070802/pags/20070802142709.html Raúl Iturriaga Neumann ya está tras las rejas del Penal Cordillera], ''[[Radio Cooperativa]]'', 2 August 2007</ref> [[Francisco Encina]] (PS) considered it strange that one of the defenders of Iturriaga, the [[Independent Democratic Union|UDI]] senator and former head of staff of the Chilean Navy, [[Jorge Arancibia]], was a representative of the Valparaíso Region where Iturriaga has been detained.<ref name=Coop/>
On 2 August 2007, Iturriaga was captured in the Pacific coastal city of [[Viña del Mar]].<ref name=LAT>Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonneln [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chile3aug03,0,1144327.story?coll=la-home-world Pinochet-era general is caught], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 3 August 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www1.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/092/article_54779.asp|title=Arrestation d'un ancien général en fuite|last=Martin|first=Claire|date=3 August 2007|website=RFI|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref> Judge Alejandro Solis explained that no investigation would be opened on his disappearance, as it is not considered a crime in Chilean law to disappear when one is on [[parole]], which Iturriaga was until June 2007.<ref name=Coop/><ref name=RFI>Claire Martin, [http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/092/article_54779.asp Arrestation d’un ancien général en fuite], ''[[Radio France International|RFI]]'', 3 August 2007</ref> He was sent to the Penal Cordillera prison in the [[Valparaíso Region]], located in a military property. Left-wing deputies of the ''[[Concertación]]'', such as [[Carlos Montes]] ([[Socialist Party of Chile|PS]]) and [[Denisse Pascal]] (PS), requested his transfer to the Punta Peuco prison, considered as more tightly guarded and where condemned military personnel would enjoy less freedom of action than in the military prison.<ref name=N>[http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/artic/20070730/pags/20070730145350.html Diputados concertacionistas pidieron que Punta Peuco sea la única cárcel para militares], ''[[La Nación (Santiago)|La Nación]]'', 30 July 2007</ref> [[Adriana Muñoz (politician)|Adriana Muñoz]] compared the Penal Cordillera prison to the "[[Bermuda Triangle]]", because from there people disappeared just like if they had been kidnapped by [[UFO]]s."<ref name=Coop>[http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/antialone.html?page=http://www.cooperativa.cl/p4_noticias/site/artic/20070802/pags/20070802142709.html Raúl Iturriaga Neumann ya está tras las rejas del Penal Cordillera], ''[[Radio Cooperativa]]'', 2 August 2007</ref> [[Francisco Encina]] (PS) considered it strange that one of the defenders of Iturriaga, the [[Independent Democratic Union|UDI]] senator and former head of staff of the Chilean Navy, [[Jorge Arancibia]], was a representative of the Valparaíso Region where Iturriaga has been detained.<ref name=Coop/>

On 2 June 2017, Iturriaga was among 106 former intelligence officers who Chilean Judge Hernan Cristoso sentenced to prison for the kidnapping and murder of 16 leftist activists in 1974 and 1975.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40141123|title=Chilean judge sends 106 former secret agents to prison|publisher=BBC News|date=2 June 2017|accessdate=31 December 2021}}</ref>

On 22 August 2023, Iturriaga was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Chile to 15 years and one day in prison for his role in the [[assassination of Carmelo Soria]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thediplomatinspain.com/en/2023/08/government-celebrates-convictions-in-chile-for-the-murder-of-spaniard-carmelo-soria/|title=Government celebrates convictions in Chile for the murder of Spaniard Carmelo Soria|publisher=The Diplomat in Spain|date=25 August 2023|accessdate=15 November 2023}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Chile under Pinochet]]
* [[Chile under Pinochet]]
*[[Chilean transition to democracy]]
* [[Chilean transition to democracy]]


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:1975 crimes in Chile]]
[[Category:Chilean Army generals]]
[[Category:Chilean assassins]]
[[Category:Chilean criminals]]
[[Category:Chilean anti-communists]]
[[Category:Chilean people of Basque descent]]
[[Category:Chilean people of Basque descent]]
[[Category:Chilean people of German descent]]
[[Category:Chilean people of German descent]]
[[Category:Chilean criminals]]
[[Category:Chilean prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Chilean Army generals]]
[[Category:Dirty wars]]
[[Category:People of the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional]]
[[Category:Failed assassins]]
[[Category:Failed assassins]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People convicted of attempted murder]]
[[Category:People from Linares]]
[[Category:People from Linares]]
[[Category:Dirty wars]]
[[Category:People of the Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional]]
[[Category:Chilean assassins]]
[[Category:Chilean prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Chile]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Chile]]
[[Category:People convicted of attempted murder]]
[[Category:Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy alumni]]

Latest revision as of 01:06, 4 February 2024

Raúl Iturriaga
Born (1938-01-23) 23 January 1938 (age 86)
AllegianceChilean
Service/branchArmy
RankAllgemein
CommandsLa Venda Sexy
Other workDeputy director of the DINA

Raúl Eduardo Iturriaga Neumann (born 23 January 1938) is a Chilean Army general and a former deputy director of the DINA, the Chilean secret police under the Augusto Pinochet military dictatorship. He was in charge of a secret detention center known as La Venda Sexy ("Sexy Blindfold") and La Discothèque—because of the sexual abuse inflicted on blindfolded prisoners as loud music masked their screams.[1] An aide to General Manuel Contreras, head of the DINA, he was in charge of several assassinations carried out as part of Operation Condor. He has been condemned in absentia in Italy for the failed murder of Christian-Democrat Bernardo Leighton,[2] and is wanted both in Spain and in Argentina. In the latter country, he is accused of the assassination of General Carlos Prats.[3] He was later found to have played a prominent role in the assassination of Spanish-Chilean United Nations diplomat Carmelo Soria as well.[4]

In June 2007 Iturriaga went into hiding to escape a 10-year prison sentence handed down by judge Alejandro Solís (reduced to five years by the Chilean Supreme Court) for the forced disappearance of Revolutionary Left Movement member Luis San Martín.[5] He was finally captured in August 2007 in Viña del Mar.[1]

Life and career

[edit]

Raúl Iturriaga became an instructor in counter-insurgency after following courses with his future chief, Manuel Contreras, in Fort Gulick,[6] an installation of the United States Department of Defense School of the Americas based in the Panama Canal.[7] He joined the DINA in November 1973, less than three months after Pinochet's coup against Salvador Allende. First responsible for the Department of Exterior Affairs of the DINA, he was named head of the Brigada Purén, based in the torture center Villa Grimaldi, in December 1975.[6]

He attended a special military course again in Panama in 1976. Iturriaga became vice-director of intelligence in DINA in 1977, before also taking charge of its economic department, responsible for firms owned by DINA.[citation needed]

Iturriaga was responsible for Operation Colombo, during which political opponents "disappeared" in Argentina while Santiago claimed they had killed themselves as a result of political in-fighting.[6][7] Although he officially retired in 1991, an association of victims claims that he has maintained links with DINE, DINA's successor.[7]

Criminal prosecution

[edit]

In 1989, before the transition to democracy, Iturriaga was elevated to the highest grade of general in the Chilean Armed Forces, with his base in Iquique. He officially retired in 1991 as general. The same year, he was interrogated by Minister Adolfo Bañados concerning the DINA's role in the assassination of Orlando Letelier, Salvador Allende's former minister, in Washington, D.C.[7]

In 1995, Iturriaga was also sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment in Italy for the 1975 failed assassination attempt against Christian Democrat Bernardo Leighton in Rome, in part because of the testimony supplied by Michael Townley.[2]

In 2002, he was indicted for the "disappearance" of Víctor Olea in September 1974.[8]

The following year he was indicted by magistrate Alejandro Solís, along with his former chief Manuel Contreras and General Pedro Espinoza, for the assassination of General Carlos Prats and his wife in Buenos Aires on 30 September 1974. He is also claimed by the Spanish magistrate Baltasar Garzón.[5] The Prats case, part of Operation Condor, opened up in Chile following an extradition request made by the Argentine magistrate María Servini de Cubría.[citation needed]

The former vice-head of staff of the Chilean Army, General Guillermo Garín, who was also Pinochet's spokesman, gave his support to Iturriaga following his escape on 11 June 2007.[5] Iturriaga had been sentenced to five years for the kidnapping of Luis Dagoberto San Martín, a 21-year-old opponent of Pinochet who "disappeared" in a DINA detention centre in 1974. In a June 2007 video broadcast, Iturriaga stated: "I openly rebel before this arbitrary, biased, unconstitutional and anti-judicial conviction."[3]

Head of DINA Manuel Contreras has been the only other general to have contested the Chilean justice during democratic rule. Contreras was on the run from justice for two months, taking refuge in the south and then in a military regiment, before being captured by security forces and detained.[5] However, various deputies, including Isabel Allende (PS), Antonio Leal (PPD), Tucapel Jiménez (PPD), and also Iván Moreira (UDI), have condemned Iturriaga's flight from justice. Jiménez warned of the existence of a "network" of protectors, as did Jaime Naranjo (PS).[9]

On 2 August 2007, Iturriaga was captured in the Pacific coastal city of Viña del Mar.[1][10] Judge Alejandro Solis explained that no investigation would be opened on his disappearance, as it is not considered a crime in Chilean law to disappear when one is on parole, which Iturriaga was until June 2007.[11][12] He was sent to the Penal Cordillera prison in the Valparaíso Region, located in a military property. Left-wing deputies of the Concertación, such as Carlos Montes (PS) and Denisse Pascal (PS), requested his transfer to the Punta Peuco prison, considered as more tightly guarded and where condemned military personnel would enjoy less freedom of action than in the military prison.[13] Adriana Muñoz compared the Penal Cordillera prison to the "Bermuda Triangle", because from there people disappeared just like if they had been kidnapped by UFOs."[11] Francisco Encina (PS) considered it strange that one of the defenders of Iturriaga, the UDI senator and former head of staff of the Chilean Navy, Jorge Arancibia, was a representative of the Valparaíso Region where Iturriaga has been detained.[11]

On 2 June 2017, Iturriaga was among 106 former intelligence officers who Chilean Judge Hernan Cristoso sentenced to prison for the kidnapping and murder of 16 leftist activists in 1974 and 1975.[14]

On 22 August 2023, Iturriaga was sentenced by the Supreme Court of Chile to 15 years and one day in prison for his role in the assassination of Carmelo Soria.[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonneln Pinochet-era general is caught, Los Angeles Times, 3 August 2007
  2. ^ a b "Two Chileans Convicted in 1975 Shooting". Associated Press. 23 June 1995.
  3. ^ a b Claudia Lagos and Patrick J. McDonnell "Fugitive ex-general stirs 'dirty war' animosities in Chile", Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2007
  4. ^ Newman, Ed (24 August 2023). "Chilean ex-military officers convicted for murder of Spanish diplomat". Radio Havana. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Un general chileno se declara en rebeldía contra un fallo que le condena a 5 años, El País, 14 June 2007
  6. ^ a b c La Gran Mentira – El caso de las "Listas de los 119" (capitulo 7), published by Equipo Nizkor
  7. ^ a b c d Raúl Iturriaga, Memoria Viva
  8. ^ El Mercurio, 9 March 2002, Someten a proceso a Raúl Iturriaga Neumann (quoted by Raúl Iturriaga, Memoria Viva)
  9. ^ Parlamentarios repudian rebeldía de general Iturriaga Neumann, La Nación (Chile), 13 June 2007
  10. ^ Martin, Claire (3 August 2007). "Arrestation d'un ancien général en fuite". RFI. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Raúl Iturriaga Neumann ya está tras las rejas del Penal Cordillera, Radio Cooperativa, 2 August 2007
  12. ^ Claire Martin, Arrestation d’un ancien général en fuite, RFI, 3 August 2007
  13. ^ Diputados concertacionistas pidieron que Punta Peuco sea la única cárcel para militares, La Nación, 30 July 2007
  14. ^ "Chilean judge sends 106 former secret agents to prison". BBC News. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Government celebrates convictions in Chile for the murder of Spaniard Carmelo Soria". The Diplomat in Spain. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.