Argentinian army officer on trial for Junta murders after he was discovered on holiday in Sicily

Lt Colonel Carlos Luis Malatto accused of murder, torture and disappearances

la Repubblica journalists discovered former Argentine army officer Carlos Luis Malatto holidaying in Sicily, Italy, despite being on trial for alleged murder, torture and forced disappearances. (la Repubblica)

An former Argentinian army officer on trial for murder, torture and forced disappearances, has been found holidaying in Sicily.

Lt Colonel Carlos Luis Malatto, who served in Argentina’s 1976-83 military dictatorship, is currently on trial in Rome for the alleged persecution of political opponents in Argentina.

The South American country is also seeking his extradition and has offered a £10,000 reward for his capture.

Tracked down to the northeast Sicilian province of Messina, by reporters from la Repubblica newspaper, he refused to answer their questions.

A video on the newspaper’s website shows him standing topless as he overlooks the balcony of a villa in Portorosa – a coastal tourist complex surrounded by luxury yachts and picturesque canals.

Prosecutors in his own country allege Mr Malatto is “one of the most infamous perpetrators” of the dictatorship, having participated in “interrogations under torture”.

In 2014, Italy refused to extradite Mr Malatto – three years after he fled there.

However, the following year it approved his trial for the murders of four Argentinians, including a model and a university rector.

However, judges refused to place the colonel under house arrest, which left him free to travel throughout the country.

Jorge Ithurburu, a lawyer for Italian human rights non-profit 24 Marzo, told The Guardian the group had asked the Italian judiciary to “monitor Malatto’s movements”.

He said: “We fear that Malatto may escape justice. It is sad that Italy is still today a refuge for torturers.”

Argentina’s brutal dictatorship, known by its leaders as the National Reorganisation Process, is believed to have “disappeared” thousands of citizens in its war against dissent.

The country's military seized political power in a March 1976 coup against President Isabel Peron.

But relinquished power seven years later after coming under increasing public pressure following its defeat to the UK in the Falklands War.