Single Event

Description

On July 18, 1994, a truck carrying explosives exploded next to the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The explosion resulted in the death of 85 people and injured around 300 others, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Argentine history.

Legal Background:
Arrest warrant:
Argentine judicial authorities issued arrest warrants for several Iranian officials, including:
- Ahmad Vahidi: former commander of the Quds Force and Minister of Interior of Iran between 2001 and 2003.
- Mohsen Rezaei: former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Ali Fallahian: Minister of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the time of the bombing and representative of the Supreme Leader in the Assembly of Experts.
- Mohsen Rabbani and Ahmad Reza Asghari: former Iranian diplomats in Argentina.

Interpol Red Notice:
Interpol issued a red notice for Ahmad Vahidi, Mohsen Rezaei, Ali Fallahian, Mohsen Rabbani, and Ahmad Reza Asghari, emphasizing that these individuals are internationally wanted for their involvement in the bombing of the AMIA.

Formal charges:
On October 25, 2006, Argentine prosecutors Alberto Nisman and Marcelo Martínez Burgos officially accused the Iranian government of the bombing, alleging that Hezbollah Lebannon, attacked at the of direction of Iran.

Statements by international organizations:
On July 18, 2022, the Israeli embassy in the United States issued a statement confirming the direct involvement of Iranian government officials in the bombing and stating that Hezbollah Lebannon carried out the attack at the order of the Iranian regime.

Final judgment (Year 2023):
The Argentine judiciary concluded that Hezbollah was responsible for the AMIA bombing in 1994 and that it acted based on guidelines and financial support from the Iranian government. The ruling, issued by the highest criminal court in Argentina, is final and not subject to review.

International Crimes:
Crime against humanity:
The deliberate bombing of the AMIA center, which resulted in the deaths of civilians and significant casualties, potentially amounts to a crime against humanity. Crimes against humanity include large-scale or systematic attacks against civilians, as defined in Article 7 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute. The coordinated attack on a non-military target with clear political motivations, especially considering the findings of the Argentine judicial authorities that Hezbollah Lebannon acted on the orders of the Iranian government, can be deemed as such.

This bombing, as an act of terrorism at the international level, involves the intentional use of violence against civilians to achieve political or ideological goals. Hezbollah Lebannon bombing at the direction of Iran aligns with the definition of terrorism in international law. The issuance of a red notice and international arrest warrants for Iranian officials involved in the attack by Interpol further strengthens this matter.

Conspiracy and financing of terrorism:
The Argentine court's judgment indicates that Iran, through its financial support of Hezbollah Lebannon, is accused of a conspiracy to commit terrorism and providing financial resources for terrorism. These actions are in violation of international frameworks aiming to prevent the financing of terrorist activities, as defined in international agreements such as the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

Legal and diplomatic considerations:
Violation of international human rights laws:
This bombing, which resulted in the death of 85 people and the injury of 300 others, constitutes a serious violation of international human rights laws and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The attack on a non-military target, accompanied by evidence of state-sponsored terrorism, raises serious concerns about the responsibility of the government in committing and assisting in the violation of human rights.

Responsibility of government officials:
The involvement of high-ranking Iranian officials, as mentioned in the arrest warrants and red notices, points to state-sponsored terrorism. The Argentine court's ruling and international arrest warrants necessitate diplomatic and legal actions to ensure accountability for the government officials' support of terrorist activities.

The 1994 AMIA bombing constitutes a serious violation of international laws, including crimes against humanity, terrorism, and conspiracy. The final judgment of the Argentine judiciary accuses Hezbollah and the Iranian government and emphasizes the need for international cooperation to hold them accountable. The consequences of the bombing, including Interpol red notices and ongoing diplomatic efforts, highlight the global importance of seeking justice for the victims of this tragic attack