Former Dictator Pinochet Loses Immunity

[Judi Lynn]

Former Dictator Pinochet Loses Immunity
By EDUARDO GALLARDO
Associated Press Writer

September 8, 2006, 7:46 PM EDT


SANTIAGO, Chile -- Chile's Supreme Court on Friday stripped former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution for alleged abuses at one of his regime's most notorious detention centers -- where the current president and her mother were tortured -- a court official said.

The case, which involves 59 cases of torture and kidnapping at Villa Grimaldi, is the first time torture has been specifically mentioned in one of the numerous legal cases brought against the 90-year-old former dictator.

Villa Grimaldi, a sprawling house in southeast Santiago, has been turned into a memorial park to honor the victims.

A court official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, told the Associated Press that an announcement will not be made until Monday or Tuesday but a vote took place and the immunity was lifted.
(snip/...)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-chile-pinochet,0,7933849.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines



Pinochet, facing camera, speaking with Henry Kissinger, on his right.

[Straight Shooter]

1. September 11, 1973, the CIA-abetted coup in Chili.

Will we have to wait as long for justice?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_coup_of_1973

[Jackpine Radical]

2. A nice international precedent

that we may soon have occasion to cite in the US.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Use this link too

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8i.htm

Yes - Monday would be highly a highly appropriate day for this to happen.

[Warpy]

3. This gives me so much hope

We may not bring this crowd of right wingers, con artists, and thieves to justice for many years, but the Pinochet case should tell them that they're not ever immune from prosecution until they are dead.

I hope their last days are filled with fear as they await the inevitable.

[Greeby]

4. I'm a bit pessimistic about this

He's in his 90's and has only just lost immunity. I think both he and Kissinger will ultimately cheat the hangman

[Phredicles]

8. Even if he drops dead tomorrow,

he will make his journey to what Mark Twain called the Eternal Tropics knowing that his country is acknowledging and repudiating what he did to it.

Still, I do hope that with our junta we get further along than that.

[pitohui]

10. no he won't know sadly

i'm fairly sure he has alzheimer's doesn't he?

it's all symbolic now as far as i know, he's where he can't be punished, a prison is no different from a nursing home

:-(

[Say_What]

14. He's lost immunity on a bunch of cases over the past 5 or so years,

he and his entire family are under indictment for embezzlement, and his son recently brought a law suit for defamation claiming that this was all *too hard* on his poor pa. I hope the old torturer lives many long and painful years as some small bit of retribution for the pain and suffering inflicted on so many thousands he tortured, murdered, or both, and their families.

Let's hope Henry gets his just deserts as well, and Bush I, Bush II, etc., etc., etc,

[bluestateguy]

5. Oh what's the use

His lawyers are using every stalling tactic they have to use to prevent him from ever seeing justice until he quietly dies.

He should have been executed by hanging. None of this "The Hague" bullshit. Takes too fucking long.

[WhiteTara]

20. having a down day?

The wheels of justice move slowly, but everyday, Pinochet has to face himself on this. Just think how long it has been for Batchelet (sp). I think this has motivated (driven?) her to be in politics to make these kinds of changes.

And, just think of what this means to Kissinger on down the line. I'll bet he has uneasy nights. They all need to spend their last days forced to face what they have done.

[rpannier]

7. Hasn't he died yet???

Not to sound nasty or anything. But the guy is like 90, he's been in poor health. I thought he might already be dead.
I'm less concerned with what they do about him then I am with the precedent. I support the recinding of immunity because people who abuse power (of any kind) need to be made to answer for their crimes.

[regnaD kciN]

9. To quote Ren & Stimpy...

Happy Happy Joy Joy
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Happy Happy Joy Joy

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[krispos42]

11. BushCo is trying to rewrite the war crimes act to save himself

Bush may well be in HIS 90's before he sees justice!

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0810-04.htm

[bluedonkey]

12. May he burn in eternal hell!

I hope he dies screaming! I'have never hated anyone in my life,but I hate this SOB with every fiber of my heart.

[Vidar]

13. Great news. Thanks for posting.

[citizen snips]

15. Good

No immunities should be given to fascists

[seemslikeadream]

16. RIGGS "JONATHAN BUSH" BANK

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775274

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[mom cat]

17. It is about time!

[mitchum]

18. Pity he won't be executed

[Judi Lynn]

19. Pinochet ruling may lead to trial

The Sunday Times September 10, 2006

Pinochet ruling may lead to trial
Flora Bagenal

THE Supreme Court of Chile has stripped Augusto Pinochet, the former dictator, of his immunity from prosecution over kidnappings and torture after the coup in 1973.
The court’s decision opens the way for Pinochet to be charged over 59 cases of human rights abuses at the Villa Grimaldi prison in Santiago, the capital. It was in this prison that Michelle Bachelet, now president of Chile, and her mother, Angela Jeria, were tortured.

Pinochet’s family argues that the 90-year-old general is too ill to stand trial, although court-appointed doctors say he is fit enough. An official announcement is expected on Tuesday as to whether charges will be pressed against him.

Pinochet has enjoyed immunity from prosecution for human rights abuses in Chile under a law he introduced before leaving office in 1990.

Thousands of people were tortured at the Villa Grimaldi, used by Pinochet’s secret police between 1974 and 1977.
(snip/...)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2350568,00.html

[Marie26]

21. Good. nt