STRAW RULES PINOCHET UNFIT FOR TRIAL!

STRAW RULES PINOCHET UNFIT FOR TRIAL!

British Home Secretary Jack Straw could release Pinochet within a week. The four-member medical team who recently examined Pinochet determined that he was at present unfit to stand trial, and that no change to that position can be expected. Straw is, however, open to hearing arguments from the main parties to the case.

The following is a BBC synopsis:

BBC NEWS, January 11, 2000, 21:39

Home Secretary Jack Straw is minded to release former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet after medical reports showed he was unfit to stand trial, the Home Office has said.

In a statement, the Home Office said the unequivocal and unanimous conclusion of a four-strong medical team who examined Pinochet on 5 January was that he was at present unfit to stand trial, and that no change to that position can be expected.

It added: In the circumstances, the Secretary of State is minded, subject to any representations he may receive, to take the view that no purpose would be served by continuing the present extradition proceedings and that he should therefore decide not to extradite Senator Pinochet.

Mr Straw's decision to release the general is subject to representations from Spain, Chile and Amnesty International, who sought his extradition on human rights abuse charges.

They now have seven days to make their case.

Mr Straw will make a statement to Parliament when the case is concluded, the Home Office said.

WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON ACTIONS AROUND THIS DECISION; YOU CAN WRITE TO STRAW IMMEDIATELY TO LET HIM KNOW THAT PINOCHET SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED TO CHILE UNLESS HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO STAND TRIAL.

Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP
Secretary of State for Home Affairs
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London, SW1H 9AT, UK
Fax: + 44 171 273 3965
gen.ho@gtnet.gov.uk

Human Rights Watch: Pinochet Case a Landmark