Argentine marchers march against crime spree

More than 100,000 people marched through Argentina's capital Buenos Aires in a protest over crime, shouting “Justice! Justice!” in one of the country's largest demonstrations in years.

Argentines lit thousands of white candles outside Congress and held up photos of victims of the recent surge in ransom kidnappings, street hold-ups and robberies that has become an overriding concern in the South American nation of 36 million people.

Many left work early to join the protest, and thousands more turned out for smaller demonstrations in cities across Argentina.

Juan Carlos Blumberg, whose 23-year-old son, Axel, was killed last week after being seized by kidnappers demanding a ransom, led the large but peaceful protest.

His son’s death drew front-page headlines in Argentina, where hundreds of people have been victims of so-called “express” kidnappings, where hostages are held for only hours, but sometimes days or weeks.

The kidnappings have also targeted business executives, the relatives of soccer stars and ordinary Argentines.

“We have to reorganise the police,” Blumberg said. “The rotten apples have to go and the rest have to be trained and properly equipped and given a proper salary.”

“Rapes, kidnappings, assassinations – we have to put an end to it all,” he added.

On the streets, many people honked their horns in support.

Last year, President Nestor Kirchner ordered more police on the streets and promised unspecified new crime-fighting steps.

But complaints of police inefficiency and corruption within the ranks have fuelled a groundswell of popular support for tougher policing methods.