Buenos Aires  - The order to release of 12 torture suspects from Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship unleashed a storm of condemnation from President Cristina Kirchner as well as human rights organizations in Argentina Thursday.

Justice officials said that 12 of the charged former military figures must be released from investigatory detention because a deadline had expired beyond which suspects could not be held without a legal judgement.

The Attorney General said it would appeal the decision.

The ex-officials include Alfredo Astiz, the so-called Angel of Death, and Jorge Acosta, alias "El Tigre."

"Today is a day of shame for all Argentinians, for humanity and for our system of justice," Kirchner said.

She was speaking at a ceremony to dedicate a memorial to the killed and disappeared at the site of the once feared Navy Mechanics School (ESMA), where the military carried out torture and murders.

An estimated 30,000 people were killed during the dictatorship, human rights groups say.

The 12 officials at issue in the decision will not be released immediately, awaiting final decision by the judge. The best known of the suspects is Astiz, accused of kidnapping the French nuns Alice Domon und Leonie Duquet, who disappeared. He has been sentenced to life in prison in France inabsentia. (dpa)