Deceased Argentine Torturer Escapes Judgment
The twist: The alleged torturer's death means no trial will be held
Berlin/Buenos Aires — The infamous torturer, Luis Esteban Kyburg (76), known for his suspected involvement in the murder of at least 23 individuals during Argentina's military dictatorship (1976-1983), has passed away. An announcement from the Berlin Public Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed this grim news.
Following charges brought against him in November, it seems that this despicable character will not face trial due to his untimely demise. Margarete Koppers, the Attorney General in Berlin, lamented, "The death of the accused puts a sudden end to the relentless pursuit of truth and justice for the relatives of the victims and the dedicated investigators in Argentina and Germany. This is an immensely distressing realization."
Unraveling the evidence
Over an almost two-year period, the Berlin Public Prosecutor General’s Office meticulously amassed evidence, conducted interviews with numerous witnesses in Argentina, and painstakingly reviewed thousands of pages of military records.
The indictment against Kyburg alleged his membership in a committee that decided which victims should be killed and not released as an exception. The killing of these victims was reportedly carried out in accordance with his political beliefs and goals.
The victims
The accused is believed to have targeted 23 young men and women, innocent individuals who had either joined left-wing groups or merely associated with them. Arrested during the crime, they were tragically taken to the Mar del Plata naval base in Argentina, where they were subjected to severe abuse, torture, and inhumane treatment with the direct knowledge and consent of Kyburg. These victims were either transferred to different locations for execution or eliminated on "death flights" under the guise of a "transfer."
Legal setbacks
Despite the countless atrocities noted in the 220-page indictment, legal prosecution in Argentina was obstructed due to Kyburg's German heritage and the possession of a German passport. As a result, Kyburg could not be extradited to Argentina, ultimately escaping justice.
A real-life thriller
From his service under Argentina's dictator Jorge Rafael Videla (1933-2013) to his exile in Berlin, vague allegations against Kyburg unfolded in an unlikely plot tailor-made for a Hollywood film. The 28-year-old lieutenant belonged to the Naval Base's 600-strong elite combat swimmers unit, Agrupacion Buzos Tacticos, single-handedly orchestrating chaos and carnage.
"They turned blue"
Cesar Sivo, a human rights lawyer in Buenos Aires, shared accounts of Kyburg's depravity. Aiding in the torture of innocent victims, Kyburg hung individuals from their feet, submerging them in water tanks until they turned a haunting shade of blue.
To evade Argentinian authorities, Kyburg and his wife fled from Buenos Aires to Berlin in 2012. Kyburg concealed his savage past as a respected elder in Berlin, attending tango classes and assimilating into local society until his true identity was exposed in July 2020.
Despite the high-profile case and international arrest warrant, German authorities considered Kyburg as a low flight risk and allowed him to remain in his apartment in Friedrichshain.
Witness intimidation
Investigators combed through Kyburg's records and interviewed numerous witnesses. Their identities were shrouded in secrecy out of fear for their safety. In January 2021, BKA officers conducted a search of Kyburg's apartment, seizing documents and data carriers as evidence.
In the end, Kyburg denied all allegations against him and refused to cooperate with investigators, continuing to conceal his role in hostilities through his untimely demise. Although his questionable past has been exposed, the horrible crimes committed during Argentina's military dictatorship will forever loom over the devastating legacy of Luis Esteban Kyburg.
