By DPA,
Madrid : Spain’s National Court Monday decided against extraditing former Argentine president Maria Estela Martinez de Peron, 77, to Argentina, where she is being linked with crimes committed by death squads during her presidency in the 1970s.
The court said the accusations against Peron, popularly known as Isabelita, were not crimes against humanity and had therefore expired.
Peron’s defence had argued against the extradition on the grounds that she was a Spanish citizen and that her health was frail.
Argentina suspects Peron of links with the Argentine anti-Communist alliance, known as the Triple A death squads, which are held responsible for at least 1,500 deaths.
Argentina sought Peron’s extradition in connection with the disappearance of at least 10 people, as well as the illegal detention and torture of another two.
Isabel Peron was sworn in as successor to her husband, president Juan Peron, after his death in 1974. She was toppled in a 1976 coup.
Peron has lived in Madrid since 1981.