Chances of Pinochet Trial ReopenedIn a surprise move, Chile's top court reopened the possibility of a trial of former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet on human rights charges.Pinochet's opponents had all but abandoned hope of bringing the general to trial after the Santiago Court of Appeals ruled last month that he cannot be tried because of his deteriorating health and mental condition. While the contents of that ruling could not be appealed, prosecutors went to the Supreme Court arguing that the ruling was illegal on technical grounds. They said the lower tribunal based its decision at least in part on a reform of Chile's penal code that is not yet in effect in Santiago.The reform is being gradually implemented throughout the country. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court voted 5-0 to study the request. The court panel set no date for the hearings to make a final ruling. ``After this, we have the possibility to prove that the ruling that favored Pinochet is illegal,'' said prosecution lawyer Hugo Gutierrez. Pinochet's chief attorney, Pablo Rodriguez, said he was not worried. ``I am totally convinced that we are right, we have the reason,'' he said. Pinochet, 85, who earlier this year was diagnosed with ``moderate dementia,'' also suffers from diabetes and arthritis, has a pacemaker and has had at least three mild strokes since 1998. He is accused of 18 kidnappings and 57 homicides in the ``Caravan of Death,'' a military squad that executed 75 political prisoners shortly after he seized power in 1973. |
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