Augusto Pinochet, Committed on 34 charges
A court in London has paved the way for General Augusto Pinochet's extradition to Spain to face torture charges. The charges date from the last 14 months of his 1973-1990 military rule. The 83-year-old former Chilean dictator had been excused from attending Bow Street Magistrates Court on grounds of ill health. In a statement read by his lawyer, Clive Nicholls, General Pinochet maintained his innocence and said that Spain had failed to produce evidence to the contrary. His lawyers now have 15 days to decide whether or not to appeal to the High Court.
This is merely the latest round in General Pinochet's fight to avoid standing trial in Spain, and his extradition is dependent on the final decision of the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, and any subsequent appeals. General Pinochet has many high profile allies, including Lady Thatcher, who argue that his arrest and detention are politically motivated. However, Amnesty International points out that Augusto Pinochet is accused of torture, which became a crime in the United Kingdom under legislation enacted by Lady Thatcher's government.
Chilean senators criticised the ruling, saying it represented "inexcusable foreign interference in the nation's sovereign affairs". The Chilean government will make a formal request to Britain for the release of ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet "on health grounds," opposition leader Alberto Cardemil today.
Investigations underway in France against Pinochet could lead to a trial in his absence in France. Justice sources said the probes now led by investigating magistrate Roger Le Loire into the disappearance of five Frenchmen in Chile and Argentina could well end up with a jury court trying Pinochet in his absence.
