Argentine army chief under indictment

BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The commander of the army of Argentina has announced his retirement after his indictment on corruption charges in a procurement scandal.

Gen. Robert Bendini faces trial for his alleged involvement in a procurement scandal when he commanded the 11th Mechanized Brigade, stationed in Rio Gallegos, Mercopress reported. Several other top Army officers and former officers also are under indictment.

Bendini is a close ally of former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner and his wife, President Cristina Fernandez Kirchner. He became Kirchner's major adviser on military matters and became commander of the army immediately after his election in 2003.