Appeals court restores riot death charges against former Argentine president De la Rua

Charges restored against Argentine ex-president

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An appeals court on Tuesday overturned the dismissal of murder charges against former President Fernando de la Rua in the deaths of five protesters during violent street demonstrations that marked the end of his tenure in 2001.

The court also ordered an investigative judge to reopen the case, saying it’s not possible to close the investigation until every avenue is pursued.

Investigative Judge Claudio Bonadio dismissed the charges in April, saying he found no evidence that De la Rua ordered the police crackdown that resulted in five deaths and 107 injuries.

At the same time, the judge approved murder charges against former Security Minister Enrique Mathov, former federal police chief Ruben Santos and two commissioners.

De la Rua became president in 1999 and quit in December 2001 as angry protests spread nationwide against his economy minister’s decision to confiscate bank deposits in a failed attempt to stop capital flight.