Judge: Arrest Ex-President Of Iran

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A federal judge yesterday ordered the detention of a former Iranian president, Hashemi Rafsanjani, and eight others in connection with the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center that killed 85 people, the judge's office said.

A special prosecutor sought the order, alleging that the worst terrorist attack on Argentine soil was orchestrated by leaders of the Iranian government and entrusted to the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

Iran's leading diplomatic envoy in Buenos Aires, Mohsen Baharvand, told the Associated Press that his government would oppose any efforts to detain Mr. Rafsanjani or other Iranian nationals. Iran's charge d'affaires, Mr. Baharvand said the case was politically motivated.

An official in the office of Federal Judge Rodolfo Canicoba Corral, who spoke with the AP on condition of not being identified, said the judge was seeking the detention of Mr. Rafsanjani and eight others. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with traditional court practice here in such cases.

The July 1994 bombing of the Jewish cultural center here killed 85 people and injured more than 200 others. Investigators say an explosives-packed van was driven up to the building and detonated.

Iran's government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack following repeated accusations by the Jewish community and other leaders here.