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Pinochet Enters Hospital for Medical Check-Up
The former Chilean military strongman General Augusto Pinochet entered hospital early Wednesday for mandatory medical tests which may be his last hope to avoid a trial on criminal charges.
He arrived at the Santiago Military hospital hours earlier than the 10 A.M. (1300 GMT) deadline set by Judge Juan Guzman, who ordered the tests. He then was transferred to the private Las Condes Clinic, because medical equipment necessary for testing was under repair in the military hospital.
The 85-year-old former life-time senator remained more than 30 minutes at the clinic to receive neurological and mental tests before he was driven in his own car - followed by a large escort - to his La Dehesa house in the capital to prepare for more tests on Thursday at the military hospital.
The results of the tests will decide whether Pinochet is fit to stand trial. They will be followed on Monday with an interview by Guzman.
Guzman on Wednesday received backing by the Supreme Court that rejected a request filed by Pinochet's lawyer to remove him from the case on the charge that Guzman is biased.
Local TV said that blood and urine tests were made first since Pinochet suffers from diabetes. The process was supervised by a court official.
The completion of the tests and the interrogation will pave the way for Guzman's indictment of Pinochet on charges of homicide and kidnapping.
Pinochet was allegedly responsible for the ``caravan of death, '' a military commando raid that executed 55 political prisoners in several cities shortly after he came to power through a military coup in 1973.
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