June 14 (Bloomberg) -- Argentina's Supreme Court ruled two immunity laws covering military officials during the dictatorship are unconstitutional, allowing hundred of lawsuits to be reopened, newspaper Clarin reported on its online edition.

Seven of nine judges on the court agreed to annul the laws, which for 20 years protected military officials from prosecution for human rights abuses during the dictatorship from 1976 to 1983, Clarin said.

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner struck down a decree in 2003 that prevented former leaders of the military from being extradited to other countries for trial on charges of crimes against humanity, paving the way for 45 arrests.

An estimated 30,000 people were killed or disappeared under the military dictatorship, which began on March 24, 1976, and ended in 1983 when Argentine generals agreed to call elections.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires eraszewski@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 14, 2005 13:43 EDT