A Chilean court has stripped former military leader Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution.
The surprise move paves the way for his trial on charges of human rights abuses during his 1973-1990 rule.
Unlike previous cases, the latest lawsuit against Gen Pinochet refers to what was known as Operation Condor.
This was a co-ordinated campaign by the Latin American military governments of the 1970s and 1980s to crack down on their suspected opponents.
Previous attempts to prosecute General Pinochet in Chile have been dismissed on medical grounds, with judges persuaded that he is suffering from dementia.
His lawyers are expected to make a similar argument when they appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court within the month.
'Surprise'
The court voted 14-9 to lift the immunity the 88-year-old enjoys as former president.
The BBC's Clinton Porteus in the Chilean capital Santiago says the decision came as a big surprise, provoking gasps - and cheers - in the courtroom.
He adds that a recent lengthy interview given by Gen Pinochet to a US television station might persuade judges that he is not mentally unfit to stand trial.
Prosecution lawyer Francisco Bravo said: "This ruling makes the relatives of the victims and the whole Chilean society again trust Chile's justice."
Lorena Pizarro, head of an association of the relatives of people who disappeared during Gen Pinochet's rule, said: "We are happy now, but we remain alert because the next step must be for the dictator to go to jail and pay for all the crimes of which he is responsible."
In 1998, Gen Pinochet was arrested in Britain after Spain requested his extradition on torture charges.
He was eventually allowed home in 2000 after he was adjudged too ill to stand trial.
From the BBC
____________________________________
A little background...
Following the Second World War, Chile's economy suffers a downturn. The country is further destabilised in September 1970 when Salvador Allende Gossens, a Marxist standing for the Popular Unity Leftist coalition and promising to extend social reforms and introduce a socialist system, is democratically elected president.
1970 - In September, following Salvador Allende's victory in the Chilean presidential vote, United States President Richard M. Nixon orders the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to do all it can to prevent Allende from being inaugurated.
Under the supervision of national security adviser Henry Kissinger, (Kissinger the war-criminal)the CIA will develop the so-called 'Track II' plan to oust Allende, allocating US$10 million while formally insulating the US embassy in Chile from any involvement.
The agency attempts to bribe key Chilean legislators and funds a group of military officers plotting a coup, providing them with a further payment following the assassination on 22 October of General Rene Schneider, the commander-in-chief of the army, who had refused to approve the coup plan.
One CIA document from October states, "It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup. ... It is imperative that these actions be implemented clandestinely and securely so that the USG (US Government) and American hand be well hidden."
In January 1972 Pinochet is given command of an army division and appointed commander general of the Santiago garrison.
On September 11, the military intervene in the mounting social crisis, staging a violent coup d'état under the direction of Pinochet. Allende dies defending the presidential palace, probably by his own hand. Many of his aides are arrested then transported to a military base, where they are executed and buried. In the provinces the notorious 'Caravan of Death' targets political opponents, summarily executing at least 72.
A state of siege is declared, martial law introduced, parliament closed, the media censored, universities purged, books burned, Marxist political parties outlawed and union activities banned. Thousands are murdered or "disappeared". Thousands more are gaoled or tortured or forced into exile. Up to one million will flee into self-imposed exile.
It is reported that up to 250,000 people are detained in the first months following the coup. Stadiums, military bases and naval vessels have to be used as short-term prisons. At least five new prison camps are established for political prisoners.
The newly formed secret police (National Intelligence Directorate - DINA) create a reign of terror at home and organise the assassinations of opponents in exile overseas. Civilian courts are supplanted with military tribunals. Pinochet, an admirer of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, is appointed president in 1974, ruling as an iron-fisted dictator. The US quickly recognises the junta and reinstates financial aid.
Read the rest of this CIA's madman’s resumeHERE
The surprise move paves the way for his trial on charges of human rights abuses during his 1973-1990 rule.
Unlike previous cases, the latest lawsuit against Gen Pinochet refers to what was known as Operation Condor.
This was a co-ordinated campaign by the Latin American military governments of the 1970s and 1980s to crack down on their suspected opponents.
Previous attempts to prosecute General Pinochet in Chile have been dismissed on medical grounds, with judges persuaded that he is suffering from dementia.
His lawyers are expected to make a similar argument when they appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court within the month.
'Surprise'
The court voted 14-9 to lift the immunity the 88-year-old enjoys as former president.
The BBC's Clinton Porteus in the Chilean capital Santiago says the decision came as a big surprise, provoking gasps - and cheers - in the courtroom.
He adds that a recent lengthy interview given by Gen Pinochet to a US television station might persuade judges that he is not mentally unfit to stand trial.
Prosecution lawyer Francisco Bravo said: "This ruling makes the relatives of the victims and the whole Chilean society again trust Chile's justice."
Lorena Pizarro, head of an association of the relatives of people who disappeared during Gen Pinochet's rule, said: "We are happy now, but we remain alert because the next step must be for the dictator to go to jail and pay for all the crimes of which he is responsible."
In 1998, Gen Pinochet was arrested in Britain after Spain requested his extradition on torture charges.
He was eventually allowed home in 2000 after he was adjudged too ill to stand trial.
From the BBC
____________________________________
A little background...
Following the Second World War, Chile's economy suffers a downturn. The country is further destabilised in September 1970 when Salvador Allende Gossens, a Marxist standing for the Popular Unity Leftist coalition and promising to extend social reforms and introduce a socialist system, is democratically elected president.
1970 - In September, following Salvador Allende's victory in the Chilean presidential vote, United States President Richard M. Nixon orders the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to do all it can to prevent Allende from being inaugurated.
Under the supervision of national security adviser Henry Kissinger, (Kissinger the war-criminal)the CIA will develop the so-called 'Track II' plan to oust Allende, allocating US$10 million while formally insulating the US embassy in Chile from any involvement.
The agency attempts to bribe key Chilean legislators and funds a group of military officers plotting a coup, providing them with a further payment following the assassination on 22 October of General Rene Schneider, the commander-in-chief of the army, who had refused to approve the coup plan.
One CIA document from October states, "It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup. ... It is imperative that these actions be implemented clandestinely and securely so that the USG (US Government) and American hand be well hidden."
In January 1972 Pinochet is given command of an army division and appointed commander general of the Santiago garrison.
On September 11, the military intervene in the mounting social crisis, staging a violent coup d'état under the direction of Pinochet. Allende dies defending the presidential palace, probably by his own hand. Many of his aides are arrested then transported to a military base, where they are executed and buried. In the provinces the notorious 'Caravan of Death' targets political opponents, summarily executing at least 72.
A state of siege is declared, martial law introduced, parliament closed, the media censored, universities purged, books burned, Marxist political parties outlawed and union activities banned. Thousands are murdered or "disappeared". Thousands more are gaoled or tortured or forced into exile. Up to one million will flee into self-imposed exile.
It is reported that up to 250,000 people are detained in the first months following the coup. Stadiums, military bases and naval vessels have to be used as short-term prisons. At least five new prison camps are established for political prisoners.
The newly formed secret police (National Intelligence Directorate - DINA) create a reign of terror at home and organise the assassinations of opponents in exile overseas. Civilian courts are supplanted with military tribunals. Pinochet, an admirer of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, is appointed president in 1974, ruling as an iron-fisted dictator. The US quickly recognises the junta and reinstates financial aid.
Read the rest of this CIA's madman’s resumeHERE
