Pinochet indicted for kidnappings, homicide

Judge Juan Guzman of the Santiago Court of Appeals on Monday declared the indictment of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet for his involvement in nine kidnappings and a homicide in the Condor Operation.

Guzman said he ordered the house arrest of Pinochet in his La Dehesa residence in Santiago.

The judge said that Pinochet was "mentally able" to cope with the trial, adding that the retired general will be informed as soon as possible.

According to the judge, the interview of the ex-military ruler by a US television channel in November 2003 was one of the proofs taken into account to indict him.

The judge indicted Pinochet for masterminding nine kidnappings and the homicide of communist militant Ruiter Correa during the Condor Operation, coordinated by the intelligence services of several military regimes in South America in the 1970s.

In the meantime, the lawyer of the ex-dictator said that the case will be appealed before the Supreme Court.

On Sept. 30, three neurologists examined Pinochet to determine if he was in good health to face trial.

The doctor appointed by the court, Jorge Tapia, diagnosed the retired general suffering from mild sub-cortical insanity and estimated he was not in conditions to cope with judicial situations.

In addition, Sergio Ferrer, an expert appointed by Pinochet's lawyer, assured that Pinochet could not face the proceedings, adding that "he has evidently worsened."

However, Martin Cordero, the neurologist appointed by the plaintiff, ruled out that Pinochet suffered from insanity and ascertained he could face trial.

Several weeks ago, judge Alejandro Solis removed Pinochet's special right of immunity in the case of his presumed involvement in the murder of ex-commander of the armed forces Carlos Prats andhis wife Sofia in Argentina in 1974.

The decision was ratified soon afterwards by the Santiago Court of Appeals.

Source: Xinhua