Argentina's ex-President Menem to Testify on Death of Son

Argentina's former president Carlos Menem has been ordered to testify at a new inquiry into the 1995 death of his son in a helicopter crash, judicial sources said Friday.

Federal judge Carlos Villafuerte Ruso is leading an investigation that was requested by Menem's ex-wife, Zulema Yoma, who said the former president told her several months ago that their son's death was the result of foul play.

Menem, 83, has been ordered to appear before the court on June 19. Testimony also has been ordered from his brother, Eduardo Menem, a former senator.

The former president's son, Carlos Menem Jr, 26, died when the helicopter he was piloting crashed. 

A subsequent inquiry determined the crash to be accidental, but many here believe he was assassinated.

The crash occurred just days before polls in which the elder Menem was elected to a second presidential term.

Menem, who since 2005 has served in Argentina's national Senate, was president from 1989-1999.

His tenure was marked by substantial economic gains, but also corruption investigations and repression.