Jurists find against Pinochet

Geneva - The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said yesterday that the former Chilean dictator, Gen Augusto Pinochet, …

Geneva - The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said yesterday that the former Chilean dictator, Gen Augusto Pinochet, could have no immunity under international law from prosecution for crimes against humanity.

The body said the London High Court which ruled last month that Gen Pinochet was protected by "sovereign immunity" as a former head of state was "profoundly mistaken and disregarded the very meaning of international law".

The immunity granted by the Chilean state to Gen Pinochet was unilateral "and cannot be imposed on the international community" or other states, the IJC said.