Chile's Supreme Court has stripped the former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, of his immunity from prosecution.
The move opens the way for the retired general to face charges of tax fraud involving an estimated $27m in offshore accounts.
The decision supports an earlier lower court ruling that was appealed by Mr Pinochet's defence.
The 89-year-old ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. He has not had to face charges up to now because his lawyers have successfully argued that he is too ill for a criminal trial.
During Mr Pinochet’s regime over 3,000 died in political violence and tens of thousands were tortured or exiled.
