Americas News
Pinochet declared fit to stand trial
By DPA
Dec 26, 2005, 19:00 GMT

Santiago de Chile - The highest court in Chile on Monday rejected an appeal by former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet to prevent his trial on charges of human rights abuses, reports said.

The judges of the Supreme Court ruled three versus two against the defence team's argument that Pinochet, 90, is too ill to stand trial on charges related to the killing of six regime opponents during the so-called 'Operation Colombo' in the mid 1970s.

Under the verdict Pinochet must remain under house arrest in the capital Santiago and await the start of proceedings against him. The former dictator is also accused of multi-million dollar tax evasion.

Legal proceedings against Pinochet have been suspended several times due to his ailing health. However, a court-ordered medical panel has now decided that he is fit to stand trial.

The rightwing dictator ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990 during which time it is estimated 3,000 people were killed.