Friday, May 28, 2004
Pinochet loses his immunity
Perhaps there is some justice in the world. Gen Augusto Pinochet, architect of Chile's own 9/11 event and 17 years of brutality afterwards, has just had his immunity lifted by Chilean courts.
The surprise move paves the way for his trial on charges of human rights abuses during his 1973-1990 rule. Unlike previous cases, the latest lawsuit against Gen Pinochet refers to what was known as Operation Condor. This was a co-ordinated campaign by the Latin American military governments of the 1970s and 1980s to crack down on their suspected opponents.
Previous attempts to prosecute General Pinochet in Chile have been dismissed on medical grounds, with judges persuaded that he is suffering from dementia. His lawyers are expected to make a similar argument when they appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court within the month. The court voted 14-9 to lift the immunity the 88-year-old enjoys as former president. The BBC's Clinton Porteus in the Chilean capital Santiago says the decision came as a big surprise, provoking gasps - and cheers - in the courtroom.
Prosecution lawyer Francisco Bravo said: "This ruling makes the relatives of the victims and the whole Chilean society again trust Chile's justice."
The surprise move paves the way for his trial on charges of human rights abuses during his 1973-1990 rule. Unlike previous cases, the latest lawsuit against Gen Pinochet refers to what was known as Operation Condor. This was a co-ordinated campaign by the Latin American military governments of the 1970s and 1980s to crack down on their suspected opponents.
Previous attempts to prosecute General Pinochet in Chile have been dismissed on medical grounds, with judges persuaded that he is suffering from dementia. His lawyers are expected to make a similar argument when they appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court within the month. The court voted 14-9 to lift the immunity the 88-year-old enjoys as former president. The BBC's Clinton Porteus in the Chilean capital Santiago says the decision came as a big surprise, provoking gasps - and cheers - in the courtroom.
Prosecution lawyer Francisco Bravo said: "This ruling makes the relatives of the victims and the whole Chilean society again trust Chile's justice."
