Title: Outrage Grows Over Buenos Aires Official‘s Brawl with Teen; Defender Steps In
Article:
In an escalating controversy, Argentina’s new subsecretary of Intelligence, Diego Kravetz, is under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing him assaulting a detained adolescent. While the government and its sympathizers have attempted to downplay the incident, a building superintendent who witnessed the scene has spoken out, expressing his outrage at the official’s actions.
Pablo Rodas, a 53-year-old father of three, told Pagina/12 that he was appalled by Kravetz’s behavior. "It was disgraceful to see him assault a teenager who was already detained and searched by police. I have a son the same age, and I know it could have been him. This was plain vigilantism, and it’s unacceptable, especially from a high-ranking official," Rodas said.
The incident, which occurred in October when Kravetz was still Buenos Aires’ security secretary, was recorded by the building’s CCTV. The video shows Kravetz approaching a minor who was stopped by police, allegedly for public disturbance. Without provocation, Kravetz proceeds to strike the teenager repeatedly, despite the presence of multiple officers. The officers eventually intervene to separate them. According to Rodas, the teenager was not the one who stole Kravetz’s son’s cell phone and was likely detained due to racial profiling.
Moreover, Carlos Rodas revealed that the teenage victim had actually been waiting at the scene to receive medical attention at a nearby hospital. Rodas contends that Kravetz’s actions were driven by impulse and not justice, and that such behavior sets a dangerous precedent for Buenos Aires’ police force.
Meanwhile, Marisa Graham, the Defender of Children’s Rights, has weighed in on the matter. She will present a statement today to request that Kravetz’s actions be investigated for institutional violence and abuse of authority. "If a high-ranking official can assault a child with impunity, how can we expect police officers to refrain from similar actions?" Graham questioned.
Graham’s intervention comes after the initial complaint was made but failed to gain traction. The case, registered under Legajo MPF 1078298, has been stalled due to apparent protection of Kravetz by the justice system. Graham has demanded that the case be reopened and Kravetz held accountable for his actions.
The controversy comes amidst a bitter political backdrop, as Kravetz’s appointment to subsecretary of Intelligence has sparked a brewing conflict between former president Mauricio Macri and libertarian politician Javier Milei. intersects. Kravetz’s past as secretary of security in Lanús, where he defended police forces who raided a soup kitchen and assaulted its occupants, has further exacerbated public outcry against his appointment. Despite this, Kravetz’s designation has not been made official in the Official Gazette, raising questions about its legitimacy.
