The Simon Wiesenthal Center protested Argentine Prosecutor General, Alejandra Gils Carbó’s decision to block Prosecutor Alberto Nisman - the Chief Investigator into the Buenos Aires AMIA Jewish Center bombing - from testifying at a US House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Hearing entitled “Iran’s Extending Influence in the Western Hemisphere”, scheduled for July 9 (http://homeland.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-threat-homeland-iran%E2%80%99s-extending-influence-western-hemisphere). Gils Carbó reportedly argued that the Hearing is not 'an institutional activity' of Nisman’s office hence no funds will be made available for that purpose.

Dr. Shimon Samuels, Director for International Relations of the Wiesenthal Center, stated, “The Argentine decision is in line with the Argentine-Iran whitewash agreement. Nisman’s ongoing findings relating to the murder of 85 and maiming of over 300 in Buenos Aires, are crucial for the US inquiry into Tehran’s influence in the Western Hemisphere. Even more so since his recent indictment, which provides judicial evidence of Iranian and Hezbollah cells in nine South American countries and this network's links in the US.” (see http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441467&ct=13162023#.UdNHKGKsiSo).

“Terrorism is a global threat; therefore, international cooperation and partnership is essential in order to confront it and prevent it. We regret that Argentina has determined to miss the opportunity to contribute its experience and expertise as a victim of Iranian terrorism," stressed Sergio Widder, the Center’s Director for Latin America.

For further information, please contact Dr. Shimon Samuels at +336 09770158 or Sergio Widder at +54911 4425-1306, join the Center on Facebook, www.facebook.com/simonwiesenthalcenter, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent direct to your Twitter page or mobile device. 



The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).