Overview
- The Supreme Court held a tribute in Buenos Aires for the six judges who delivered the 1985 ruling, with Chief Justice Horacio Rosatti praising their defense of democratic institutions and announcing the courtroom’s incorporation into the Court’s museum next year.
- The 9 December 1985 decision by the Federal Chamber convicted five former commanders—Videla and Massera to life, Viola to 17 years, Lambruschini to 8 years, and Agosti to 4 years and 6 months—while Galtieri, Graffigna, Lami Dozo and Anaya were acquitted.
- The months‑long proceedings began on 22 April 1985, drew on CONADEP’s Nunca Más report, and amassed nearly 900 hours of hearings with more than 800 witnesses, establishing a systematic plan of illegal repression.
- The verdict ordered investigations to be extended nationwide, a step later tested by military uprisings and followed by Menem’s 1990 pardons, before post‑2003 legal reversals reopened crimes‑against‑humanity cases.
- Participants recall acute security risks during the trial, and scholars and officials emphasize its global precedent of trying former military rulers before civilian judges.