Daniel Mullen at 6:45 AM ET
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Chile judge rejects request to prosecute former general for murder
Chile judge rejects request to prosecute former general for murder
Daniel Mullen at 6:45 AM ET
[JURIST]
Chilean judge Mario Carroza on Monday rejected a request by human
rights lawyer Eduardo Contreras to prosecute former general Fernando
Matthei for murder. Matthei oversaw the military facility where General
Alberto Bachelet was tortured to death in 1973 after Bachelet refused to
support the military coup lead by Augusto Pinochet [BBC profile; JURIST news archive].
Contreras has attempted to bring charges against Matthei before and
argued that new evidence has come to light which shows that Matthei was
aware of Banchelet's death. However, Carroza ruled
[BBC report] that there were insufficient grounds to prosecute.
Contreras frequently represents families who were victimized during
Pinochet's regime and has stated his intention to appeal Monday's
decision. Both of the general's daughters, Evelyn Matthei and Michelle
Bachelet, are opponents in the upcoming Chilean presidential election.
Chile has been urged to investigate and prosecute individuals
responsible for the killings and disappearances that took place during
Pinochet's rule. In September a Chilean judge sentenced
[JURIST report] the chief of police during Pinochet's reign to 15 years
in prison for murdering an opposition activist. One month prior, a
panel of human rights experts urged Chile
[JURIST report] to ensure that those who have been convicted of
enforced disappearances serve their sentences. In July 2012 Chilean
authorities arrested and charged
[JURIST report] two retired air force colonels for their roles in the
1974 death of an air force brigadier general and father of Chile's first
female president. In December 2010 a French court convicted [JURIST report] 13 former Chilean officials for the disappearance of four French citizens during Pinochet's rule.
Daniel Mullen at 6:45 AM ET
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