A former Jewish leader was among those who have been indicted in Argentina for bribery during the original investigation of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires.

Ruben Ezra Beraja, who once headed the DAIA Jewish umbrella organization, was among those charged

May 12 by federal judge Ariel Lijo, who is investigating reported irregularities that took place during the original investigation.

Eight-five people were killed in the attack, and hundreds were wounded.

Others indicted included the judge who presided over the investigation, Juan Jose Galeano, former prosecutors and state officials.

The indictment stems from an illegal payment of $400,000 to Carlos Alberto Telleldin, an auto mechanic who was among those charged in the attack, for his false testimony about to whom he gave the car bomb. Beraja knew about the payment, Lijo said.

This irregularity, among others, led the court in 2004 to annul the investigation and free all the accused.

As a result of the second investigation, Argentina is seeking the extradition of seven Iranians, including the current defense minister, for their alleged roles in the attack. — jta