Argentine Ex-President Sentenced to 7 Years for Arms Smuggling

Technically he's immune to prison time, but lawmakers can strip him of that privilege

An Argentine court has sentenced former President Carlos Menem to seven years in prison for his role in illegally smuggling weapons to Ecuador and Croatia.

An appeals court found Menem guilty of aggravated smuggling earlier this year.

Menem, 82, is serving as a senator and has immunity from going to prison, but lawmakers could vote to strip him of that protection.

On Thursday, the court also sentenced former Argentine Defense Minister Oscar Camilion to 5½ years in prison.