An Argentine judge has issued an international arrest order for former President Carlos Menem, who failed to return from Chile to appear in court in connection with a graft case, a court source says.
Judge Jorge Urso, who issued the capture order, is investigating Mr Menem in connection with the alleged embezzlement of up to $60 million in the construction of two prisons during his administration.
Interpol has been asked to locate Mr Menem while Argentina formally requests his arrest from Chile's government pending extradition.
Mr Menem, 73, whose 1989-1999 presidency was tainted by accusations of rampant corruption, is living in a luxury apartment in Chile with his beauty queen wife and newborn son. He has refused to return to Argentina - where he has been fending off separate tax evasion charges.
An Argentine judge in February froze Mr Menem's assets while he is investigated on separate charges of hiding $600,000 from tax authorities in a Swiss bank account.
Another investigation into Mr Menem involves allegations that he took bribes relating to arms sales to Croatia and Ecuador. Mr Menem spent five months under house arrest but was released in 2001 due to lack of evidence. An investigation continues.