Overview

• On June 26, Judge Daniel Rafecas directed 10 Iranian and Lebanese suspects to stand trial in absentia for the 1994 bombing that killed 85 and wounded about 300 in Buenos Aires.
• A change to Argentina’s penal code approved in March allows judges to conduct trials without defendants who remain beyond national jurisdiction.
• Accused figures include former Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, ex-intelligence chief Ali Fallahian and former ambassador Hadi Soleimanpour, all under arrest warrants since 2006.
• Argentine and Israeli authorities have long asserted Tehran sponsored the attack with logistical support from Hezbollah, a claim Iran continues to deny.
• Victims’ families and groups like Mémoire active warn the absentia trial could leave key questions unanswered and revisit disputes over Cristina Kirchner’s proposed memorandum with Iran.