On July 6, the Santiago Appeals Court ruled 11 to 10 to strip former dictator Augusto Pinochet of his presidential immunity, and investigate his involvement in the killing of 119 political prisoners, and a 1975 cover up of the deaths. Pinochet took power in one of Latin America’s bloodiest coups in 1973. In the 17 years that he ruled Chile, more than 3000 people disappeared or were killed by the regime. Last year, a government inquiry established that at least 20,000 people were tortured in that period. Courts can decide on a case-by-case basis to strip former president’s immunity. Until now, Pinochet has successfully convinced courts he is too ill to be prosecuted.

From Green Left Weekly, July 13, 2005.
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