45 years later justice is done for four Uruguayans imprisoned and tortured. | Photo: AA

Montevideo, October 10 (RHC)-- The former lieutenant of the Uruguayan Army, Carlos Chaine, known as "El Chajá," appears in court in a process opened by the judge of the Tacuarembó department, Carla Gómez, on charges such as deprivation of liberty, various physical constraints and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Almost half a century later, justice is being done for four people detained and tortured under the dictatorship that lasted from 1973 to 1985.  In February 1976 the communist militants Emilio Toribio, Ariel Zapata, Carlos Pintos and Julio Basualdo, were arrested and taken to Libertad Prison where they were held until December 1977.

According to Judge Gómez, the four victims were "subjected to humiliations such as hooding, and poor or no food and drink, as well as limited access to the bathroom."

For the judge, the defendant's conduct violates Article 26 of the Constitution, which prohibits the use of prisons for the aforementioned purposes, and falls under Article 286 of the Penal Code.

During the civil-military dictatorship in Uruguay (1973-1985) it is estimated that there were more than 400 murders, of which approximately 190 people are still missing.