Pinochet stripped of immunity
2005-07-06 22:21
Santiago - A Chilean court stripped general Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution on Wednesday in a human rights case involving the killing of more than 100 dissidents.
The decision by Santiago court of appeals, and announced by its president Juan Escobar, could be appealed before the supreme court.
But, Pinochet's attorney, Pablo Rodriguez, did not immediately announce his plans.
The court's 11-10 decision on Wednesday was linked to charges stemming from the 1975 killing of 119 dissidents, whose bodies were found in neighbouring Argentina.
It was the fourth time Pinochet, who faced numerous lawsuits on human rights grounds, had been stripped of his immunity.
'Dissidents were killed'
Two of the cases were blocked by courts citing the 89-year-old dictator's failing health while two more, including the current case, were pending.
Pinochet's regime claimed the dissidents were killed in clashing in Argentina involving rival groups opposed to his regime.
To support its claim, the regime cited a report in an Argentine magazine named Lea, which published details of the alleged clashes and the names of the victims.
But, the only issue of the magazine to have ever been published was the one listing the Chilean victims in what came to be known as "Operation Colombo".
A report prepared by an independent commission for the civilian government that succeeded Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990, said 3 197 people died or disappeared during his 17-year regime.
Senate investigative committee
The decision was the latest legal blow for the ailing former dictator.
Last month, the same court also stripped him of his immunity in a tax evasion case stemming from multi-million dollar bank accounts he held in the United States, as disclosed by the country's senate investigative committee.
A judge had accused him of failing to pay $9.2m in taxes on accounts, while contained up to $17m.
The courts here had cited Pinochet's health twice in blocking his trial on charges of human rights abuses.
According to his doctors, Pinochet had several mild strokes, the latest last month, and had been diagnosed a mild case of dementia. He also had diabetes, arthritis and had a pacemaker.
His opponents claimed he exaggerates his health problems to escape trial.
- AP