Pilot suspected of role in 950 murders

Transavia pilot Julio Poch is officially suspected of being involved in 950 murders on behalf of the Argentine junta which ruled between 1976 and 1983, the Telegraaf reports on Wednesday.


As well as carrying out death flights, in which opponents of the junta were drugged and dumped at sea, he is also suspected of being involved in murders at the Argentine Marine academy, the paper says.
Poch, who has Dutch and Argentine nationality, was arrested in Spain last month while about to make his final flight for Transavia, whom he has worked for since 1988. He appeared in court to face extradition proceedings on Tuesday.
Poch, who is being defended by top Dutch lawyer Gerard Spong, denied any involvement in the death flights. ‘It is practically impossible. He was a jet fighter pilot at the time,’ Spong told the Telegraaf.
Poch was arrested apparently after boasting of his involvement in the death flights to Transavia colleagues.

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