(20 Jan 1999) Spanish/Nat
Reynaldo Bignone is the latest in a line of former military officials to be tried for crimes during Argentina's Dirty War, 1976-1983
He entered the court house in Buenos Aires on Wednesday amidst a scuffle between the press and guards at the entrance.
Protesters who gathered outside the court want to see him imprisoned for the alleged kidnap of children born in captivity.
Protesters in Buenos Aires gathered outside the court house on Wednesday to see Reynaldo Bignone appear on charges allegedly committed during Argentina's Dirty War (1976 - 1983).
It is claimed he kidnapped children born in captivity and handed them on to be raised by pro-military families.
Bignone agreed to attend the court hearing, having avoided two previous summons to court.
This is the latest in a series of cases brought against leaders of the then military dictatorship.
But there is anger because Argentinean law allows for officials found guilty, who are over 70, to serve their time under house arrest.
Protesters claim that the sentence is a waste of time.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"There is, shall we say, army politics behind this scenario. Because when you jail figures who symbolise the horrors, they just happen to be 71 years old - and if you are over 65 they give you house arrest. So what is that worth, because the most they will be is five years behind bars, or they stay peacefully in their homes as in the case of Videla, Massera and Nicolaides and many others."
SUPER CAPTION: Paula Garcia, protestor
According to some, all criminals should be dealt with in the same way.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Now, inspite of this political manipulation in the background, I think that we have to exploit it further and go on applying pressure so the men who committed genocide stay behind bars for life - and not in their home but in a common jail just like any normal prisoner."
SUPER CAPTION: Mariano Cachanoka, protestor
Bignone will not be the last to be tried for his alleged crimes - but it remains to be seen whether he goes to jail if found guilty.
Others have been called to testify as victims' relatives seek the truth about what happened to their loved ones.
Some human rights groups estimate 30-thousand people died during Argentina's dirty war when the right-wing junta brutally campaigned against leftist sympathisers.
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