The former president, general, and dictator of Chile, Augusto Pinochet, suffered a minor stroke on December 18, 2004 weekend and was taken to Santiago Army Hospital to recover. Meanwhile, an appeals court, led by Judge Juan Guzman?s indictment, is moving forward?in a 3-0 vote–with charges of murder and kidnapping against him. ?By unanimity, the appeal has been rejected,” said court President Juan Escobar, putting Pinochet under house?or hospital–arrest. Pinochet supporters claim he is too old and frail to stand trial for crimes committed over 30 years ago, and some protested at the appeals court. While only a few years go, the anti-Pinochet contingent was a bit more sympathetic, now it is as devoted as ever to proceed against him. They applauded the court?s decision.

Pinochet?s lawyers had long contended that he was unable to stand trial due to mental debilitation. During a TV interview in 2003, Pinochet was well in charge of his faculties and quite lucid, leaving even his supporters to question his truthfulness. According to a BBC interview with Guzman after Pinochet?s TV spot ??Pinochet is not really a person whose mental faculties are disturbed.? Since then, the ?honest dictator? has also been charged with money laundering and tax evasion and possibly siphoning up to US$50 million presumably from government funds, further lessening his support base. And then, an official commission announced the military and secret police, both under his direct rule, tortured 27,000 people?a stunningly high number?in over 1,200 sites over his 17-year rule.

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