Madrid - The Spanish government Friday authorized the extradition of former Argentine naval officer Ricardo Miguel Cavallo to his country to be tried for human rights abuses, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega announced. Cavallo has been in prison in Spain since being extradited in 2003 by Mexico, where he was detained in 2000 after having been recognized by former prisoners of Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship.
Cavallo alias "Serpico" is suspected of involvement in the abduction and torture of more than 200 alleged opponents of Argentina's former military junta, which is blamed for up to 30,000 deaths.
Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon wanted to try Cavallo for crimes against humanity. The junta's victims included a number of Spanish citizens.
Spain authorized the extradition after Mexico gave it a go-ahead.
