Former Argentinian president denies arms smuggling

Former Argentinian president Carlos Menem has declared his “absolute and total innocence” to charges that he illegally smuggled weapons to Ecuador and Croatia when he ran the country.

Menem, now 81, is on trial along with 17 other former officials and military leaders.

Between 1991 and 1995, Menem signed three secret decrees approving weapons sales to Venezuela and Panama.

But their true destination was Croatia and Ecuador, both subject to international weapons bans.

Menem said that he only signed the papers and did not know their true destination. Prosecutors said he had to know and have asked for eight years in prison.