An appeals court in Chile today threw out murder and kidnapping charges against former dictator General Augusto Pinochet, but said the he could still be tried for covering up the crimes.
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Gen. Pinochet: can be tried for human rights abuses
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The Santiago Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to throw out the more serious criminal charges against the 85-year-old former dictator.
General Pinochet had been indicted and placed under house arrest on January 29th on charges stemming from the Caravan of Death, one of the most notorious cases of human rights abuses during his 1973-90 dictatorship.
The caravan was a military group that executed 75 political prisoners shortly after the 1973 coup led by GeneralPinochet. The remains of 18 of the victims were never recovered.
His lawyers appealed, calling the murder and kidnapping charges "arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional."
Mr Pablo Rodriguez argued that there was no clear evidence General Pinochet was responsible for the killings, and the former strongman was not healthy enough to stand trial.
Doctors in January said the former dictator suffers from "moderate dementia" brought on by minor strokes. He also has diabetes and arthritis, and wears a pacemaker.
Heremains under house arrest at his countryside residence in Bucalemu, 80 miles southwest of Santiago.
AP