Boris Dittrich, a former leader of the D66 democrat party, believes Crown Princess Máxima’s father, Jorge Zorreguieta, should face prosecution in the Netherlands , reports newspaper NRC Handelsblad.

Mr Dittrich’s ideas on the subject are contained in an interview which was meant for publication in the staff magazine of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM). The interview was withheld because it contained what the OM described as ‘sensitive’ statements about the princess’ father.

Mr Zorreguieta’s prosecution would relate to his role in the 'disappearances' during the Videla regime in Argentina, in which he served as a junior minister between 1976 and 1981. Thousands of the regime's opponents were picked up by the authorities never to be seen again.

An ongoing attempt is being made to sue Mr Zorreguieta in the Netherlands for his alleged complicity in the disappearances. The case is being brought by the family of one of the Videla regime’s victims, Samuel Slutzky, who disappeared in 1977.

NRC Handelsblad says Mr Dittrich considers the Dutch courts competent to decide whether Mr Zorreguieta shares culpability for the abuses of the Videla regime. Mr Dittrich, who now works for Human Rights Watch, has criticised the OM for “censorship” of the staff magazine interview.

The military junta which ruled Argentina in the 1970s was, according to Amnesty International, responsible for the deaths of as many as 30,000 opponents during what has become known as the country's Dirty War.

(jn/mw)

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