Court reviews charges against Pinochet

The defence petitioned the court to have rescinded because of procedural errors the human rights abuse charges Judge Juan Guzman levelled against Pinochet and a warrant that would place the 85-year- old former strongman under house arrest.

Guzman accuses Pinochet of kidnapping and murdering oppositionists during his military dictatorship that stretched from 1973 to 1990. A decision by the appellate court on the validity of those charges is not expected until the coming week.

A total of eleven prosecutors and defence attorneys were to present the various points of view on the case to the court until Thursday evening. An appeal to Chile's Supreme Court is possible following the appellate court's ruling.

Guzman surprised Chile last Friday by charging Pinochet and six other ex-officers. He accused Pinochet of being responsible for the actions of the "Caravan of Death," a death squad which kidnapped oppositionists out of prisons and then executed them. A total of 53 oppositionists were murdered, while another 19 remain missing.

(dpa)