WORLD> America
Argentine commanders dismissed for corruption
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-19 10:48

BUENOS AIRES -- Argentine generals Gustavo Schurlein and Gustavo Serain, commanders of the Third Corp of the Army and Military Aviation, were dismissed Thursday for alleged corruption.

Defense Minister Nilda Garre also sacked other 11 officers accused of "punishable acts."

According to the Defense Ministry, on August 8, Garre dismissed 31 members of the military, four of them generals, for the same reason.

A total of 44 military units and 90 civilian suppliers of the army have been involved in corruption cases. They are accused of defrauding the national government of more than 70 million Argentine pesos (US$25 million), according to the Defense Ministry.

The accused were being investigated for illegal association, fraud against the public administration and bribery, among other crimes, according to the ministry.