Chile Supreme Court Says Pinochet Can Face Charges

Jan 4, 9:58 AM (ET)


SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Chile's Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that murder and kidnapping charges against Augusto Pinochet can move forward, a decision that brings the ex-dictator one step closer to trial in a major human rights case.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision to throw out a defense motion that argued Pinochet, 89, is not mentally alert enough to defend himself. However, the defense will still have other opportunities to block the trial.

The high-court's five-judge criminal panel voted 3-2 in the ruling against Pinochet, who has never been put on trial for human rights violations under his 1973-1990 rule, despite several high-profile cases against him.

The court rejected the defense's request for an injunction and ruled that the criminal charges filed against Pinochet had not violated his right to due process, Carlos Meneses, secretary for the Supreme Court, told reporters on the steps of Santiago's main courthouse.

The court decision could lead to an order of house arrest against Pinochet.
http://reuters.myway.com/article/200...NOCHET-DC.html

This monster is pretty much going to die before he ever sees a trial – isn’t he like 105 years old by now? Just kidding – but really, he guy gets older and for the past 5 years they have ruled he is ready to stand trial… I guess this is the token announcement for 2005! J