Ex-intelligence officer called to in prosecutor death case

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Argentine investigators on Thursday called a recently deposed senior intelligence officer to testify as they attempt to understand the mysterious death of a prosecutor who accused President Cristina Fernandez of agreeing to shield the masterminds of a 1994 terror bombing.

Antonio "Jaime" Stiuso was called to speak with lead investigator Viviana Fein, said Secretary of Intelligence Oscar Parrilli.

Stiuso's whereabouts, however, are unknown. Parrilli said officials searched for him unsuccessfully at three residences where he had been known to live.

Stiuso's lawyer, Santiago Blanco Bermudez, said Thursday he did not know his client's location. He told Radio Vorterix that Stiuso had yet to receive a summons, but would appear when he is formally called.

"It's his obligation as a citizen and former public official," Blanco Bermudez said.

By law, intelligence officials are prohibited from disclosing state secrets. But, Parrilli said, Fernandez would present an order exempting Stiuso from the restriction, clearing the way for him to speak about anything.

"The president wants all the truth to be known, and wants Stiuso to tell us everything, from (when he joined the agency in) 1972 until now," Parrilli told reporters outside Congress.

Testimony by Stiuso is expected to be key to the investigation into the Jan. 18 death of Alberto Nisman, the prosecutor who was found shot dead hours before he was to detail allegations that Fernandez helped shield Iranian officials connected to the 1994 terrorist bombing of a Jewish community. The attack which killed 85 remains unsolved.

Fernandez, who has denied any wrongdoing, has suggested Stiuso was involved in Nisman's death but has not elaborated. The spy chief had collaborated with Nisman in his 10-year investigation and retired from the intelligence agency on Jan. 5.

Media reports have said Stiuso telephoned Nisman on Jan. 17 but Blanco Bermudez, speaking to the television station TN on Thursday, said he could not confirm the reports. The lawyer said Stiuso had "a fleet of phones, around 100."

In the days before his death, Nisman had filed a report alleging that Fernandez agreed to cover up Iran's involvement in the bombing in exchange for trade benefits, especially in oil. Iran's government repeatedly has denied the allegations against its former officials.

Conspiracy theories have swirled around the case. Authorities initially said Nisman likely committed suicide, but his supporters insisted the prosecutor would not have killed himself. A few days after suggesting suicide, Fernandez did an about-face, suggesting Nisman had been killed.

Nisman had feared for his safety and 10 federal police were assigned to protect him. The officers were suspended as part of the investigation but none have been named as suspects and no arrests have been made in the case.