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Argentine Falklands War troops 'tortured by their own side' | Argentine Falklands War troops 'tortured by their own side' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Argentine soldiers were subjected to abuse and torture by their own superiors during the 1982 Falklands War against Britain, files released by Argentina's armed forces reveal. | Argentine soldiers were subjected to abuse and torture by their own superiors during the 1982 Falklands War against Britain, files released by Argentina's armed forces reveal. |
They are the first official documents from the conflict to be made public and contain testimonies from soldiers who say they were poorly equipped and cold. | They are the first official documents from the conflict to be made public and contain testimonies from soldiers who say they were poorly equipped and cold. |
They say they were severely beaten for leaving the trenches to look for food. | They say they were severely beaten for leaving the trenches to look for food. |
The conflict over the islands cost the lives of more than 900 soldiers. | |
For years, war veterans have complained about the terrible conditions during the conflict, including lack of proper boots and coats, says the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires. | For years, war veterans have complained about the terrible conditions during the conflict, including lack of proper boots and coats, says the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires. |
The previously secret files describe mock executions and soldiers being tied up inside empty graves. | The previously secret files describe mock executions and soldiers being tied up inside empty graves. |
A lieutenant describes how another officer tied his hands and legs to this back and left him face down on the wet sand of a cold Falklands beach for eight hours. | A lieutenant describes how another officer tied his hands and legs to this back and left him face down on the wet sand of a cold Falklands beach for eight hours. |
A sergeant says he had to be operated on after being kicked in the testicles. | A sergeant says he had to be operated on after being kicked in the testicles. |
"These documents lift the veil on facts that were hidden for so many years by the armed forces," said Ernesto Alonso, from a veterans group in La Plata. | "These documents lift the veil on facts that were hidden for so many years by the armed forces," said Ernesto Alonso, from a veterans group in La Plata. |
'Exercise of colonialism' | 'Exercise of colonialism' |
The Falklands War began in April 1982, when Argentine troops invaded the British overseas territory which Argentina calls the Malvinas. | The Falklands War began in April 1982, when Argentine troops invaded the British overseas territory which Argentina calls the Malvinas. |
A British task force was sent to the area and regained control of the islands in June. Three Falklands civilians and 255 British servicemen died during the conflict. | |
The number of Argentine dead is estimated at about 650. | The number of Argentine dead is estimated at about 650. |
Argentine defeat precipitated the end of the country's brutal military government, which was already facing serious economic problems and lack of popular support. | Argentine defeat precipitated the end of the country's brutal military government, which was already facing serious economic problems and lack of popular support. |
Despite widespread criticism in Argentina of the 1982 invasion, most Argentines continue to claim the islands as theirs. | Despite widespread criticism in Argentina of the 1982 invasion, most Argentines continue to claim the islands as theirs. |
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has previously described British presence as "a blatant exercise of 19th-Century colonialism". | President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has previously described British presence as "a blatant exercise of 19th-Century colonialism". |
The British government says it will defend the self-determination of the islanders. | The British government says it will defend the self-determination of the islanders. |
An overwhelming majority of Falkland residents voted in March 2013 to remain a British territory. About 2,900 people live on the islands. | An overwhelming majority of Falkland residents voted in March 2013 to remain a British territory. About 2,900 people live on the islands. |
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