Montevideo (Uruguay), Oct 23 (DPA) Former Uruguayan dictator Gregorio Alvarez was condemned Thursday to 25 years in jail for his involvement in the deaths of scores of leftist activists during the 1973-85 dictatorship.
Judge Luis Charles also condemned retired Navy official Juan Carlos Larcebeau to 20 years in jail.

In Dec 2007 Alvarez had been sent to jail to await trial over the killings of 37 activists, while Larcebeau was being tried over 29 deaths.

Alvarez, 86, did not attend the hearing Thursday due to alleged health problems.

The lawyer for the prosecution Oscar Lopez Goldaracena described the ruling as one which “dignified the victims.”

Gregorio “Goyo” Alvarez was head of the Uruguayan Army and took over the country’s de facto presidency 1981-85. He is regarded as one of the most representative figures of the regime.

The ruling came just three days before a presidential election that is likely - according to opinion polls - to be won by left-wing candidate Jose Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter.

Also at stake at the ballot box Sunday is a referendum on whether to repeal an amnesty of crimes committed by military and police officers during the dictatorship. The amnesty law of 1986 only allows for the prosecution of leading members of the regime.