Gonking
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In death, Pinochet escapes justice
JEREMY MCDERMOTT LATIN AMERICA CORRESPONDENT
One week after suffering a heart attack, the former general died, cheating attempts by Chilean prosecutors to imprison him on charges of human-rights abuses and tax evasion.
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Pinochet, 91, had appeared to be recovering until yesterday afternoon, when he was again rushed into intensive care where doctors were unable to save him.
"He died surrounded by his family," Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara told reporters gathered at the hospital in the capital, Santiago.
The former dictator had been a revered figure in Chile until his arrest in London in 1998, but he managed to escape being sent to Spain to face charges of human-rights abuses, after British medical experts ruled he was suffering from "mild dementia" and therefore unfit to stand trial.
The same happened when he returned to Chile in 2000. However, prosecutors gradually dealt with all the constitutional and medical objections to his being tried, and he was due to go to court to answer charges.
Baroness Thatcher, his friend and ally, was last night said to be "greatly saddened" by his death. Her spokesman said she would be sending her "deepest condolences" to Pinochet's widow and family.
The former prime minister always maintained that Pinochet had offered the British invaluable help during the Falklands conflict of 1982.
But Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, said matter-of-factly: "We note the passing of General Pinochet and want to pay tribute to the remarkable progress that Chile has made over the last 15 years as an open, stable and prosperous democracy."
Amnesty International said his death should spur the Chilean government to ensure delays did not help others escape prosecution. A spokeswoman said: "General Pinochet's death should be a wake-up call for the authorities in Chile and governments everywhere, reminding them of the importance of speedy justice for human-rights crimes, something Pinochet himself has now escaped."
Thousands of Pinochet supporters gathered outside the hospital, weeping and trading insults with people in passing cars.
But many other Chileans saw his death as reason for celebration. Hundreds of cheering, flag-waving people crowded a major plaza in the capital, drinking champagne and tossing confetti.
The Chilean government last night announced that Pinochet will have a funeral with military honours, but will not be treated as a former head of state.
The human-rights abuses committed under Pinochet's military junta were widely known throughout the country.
Rights groups estimate that more than 3,000 people were killed after 1973 when Salvador Allende, the democratically elected president, was overthrown and allegedly took his own life with a gun given to him by his friend, Fidel Castro.
Most of the murders took place in the first year of military rule, when Santiago's National Stadium was turned into a detention and torture centre.
Pinochet was facing charges over the "Caravan of Death" in 1973, when it is alleged a military death squad rounded up suspected leftists from prisons around the country and murdered them.
However, it was not such abuses that led to his support eroding - it was allegations of corruption, in 2005, when undeclared foreign bank accounts containing some £15 million were traced to him and members of his family.
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1836202006
JEREMY MCDERMOTT LATIN AMERICA CORRESPONDENT
- Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet dies aged 91
- Had been due to face charges tax evasion and human rights abuses
- 1997 British medical diagnisos of 'mild dementia' prevented extradition
One week after suffering a heart attack, the former general died, cheating attempts by Chilean prosecutors to imprison him on charges of human-rights abuses and tax evasion.
http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/click;...members.scotsman.com/mailinglists.cfm?list=11
Pinochet, 91, had appeared to be recovering until yesterday afternoon, when he was again rushed into intensive care where doctors were unable to save him.
"He died surrounded by his family," Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara told reporters gathered at the hospital in the capital, Santiago.
The former dictator had been a revered figure in Chile until his arrest in London in 1998, but he managed to escape being sent to Spain to face charges of human-rights abuses, after British medical experts ruled he was suffering from "mild dementia" and therefore unfit to stand trial.
The same happened when he returned to Chile in 2000. However, prosecutors gradually dealt with all the constitutional and medical objections to his being tried, and he was due to go to court to answer charges.
Baroness Thatcher, his friend and ally, was last night said to be "greatly saddened" by his death. Her spokesman said she would be sending her "deepest condolences" to Pinochet's widow and family.
The former prime minister always maintained that Pinochet had offered the British invaluable help during the Falklands conflict of 1982.
But Margaret Beckett, the Foreign Secretary, said matter-of-factly: "We note the passing of General Pinochet and want to pay tribute to the remarkable progress that Chile has made over the last 15 years as an open, stable and prosperous democracy."
Amnesty International said his death should spur the Chilean government to ensure delays did not help others escape prosecution. A spokeswoman said: "General Pinochet's death should be a wake-up call for the authorities in Chile and governments everywhere, reminding them of the importance of speedy justice for human-rights crimes, something Pinochet himself has now escaped."
Thousands of Pinochet supporters gathered outside the hospital, weeping and trading insults with people in passing cars.
But many other Chileans saw his death as reason for celebration. Hundreds of cheering, flag-waving people crowded a major plaza in the capital, drinking champagne and tossing confetti.
The Chilean government last night announced that Pinochet will have a funeral with military honours, but will not be treated as a former head of state.
The human-rights abuses committed under Pinochet's military junta were widely known throughout the country.
Rights groups estimate that more than 3,000 people were killed after 1973 when Salvador Allende, the democratically elected president, was overthrown and allegedly took his own life with a gun given to him by his friend, Fidel Castro.
Most of the murders took place in the first year of military rule, when Santiago's National Stadium was turned into a detention and torture centre.
Pinochet was facing charges over the "Caravan of Death" in 1973, when it is alleged a military death squad rounded up suspected leftists from prisons around the country and murdered them.
However, it was not such abuses that led to his support eroding - it was allegations of corruption, in 2005, when undeclared foreign bank accounts containing some £15 million were traced to him and members of his family.
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1836202006
he was my favorite dictator
