Judge's amnesty decision draws fire in Chile

[Judi Lynn]

Judge's amnesty decision draws fire in Chile
Apr 15, 2006, 23:24 GMT

Santiago de Chile - Protests continued Saturday over a judge's decision to grant amnesty to ex-military defendants charged with three murders and human rights violations during the 1973-1990 military dictatorship, with socialist Arturo Barrios leading the charge.

Conservative Chilean judge Victor Montiglio absolved three officers charged with murder during the Caravan of Death, citing the 1978 amnesty granted under former dictator Augusto Pinochet for wrongdoings under his regime.

In recent years, Chilean courts have overthrown the amnesty, even denying it to Pinochet in some of the ongoing cases against him. Newly elected president Michelle Bachelet promised at her recent inauguration that there would be no let-up in prosecuting the crimes.

Barrios called the judge's decision 'aberrant' and charged that the judge was not following the guidelines given by Bachelet, whose father was tortured under Pinochet and who herself was taken prisoner by Pinochet's forces.
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The Caravan of Death was the military unit formed shortly after Pinochet's putsch that went from prison to prison to murder jailed critics of the regime. At leat 75 murders are being prosecuted in connection with the actions. Pinochet himself has been charged.
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http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southamerica/article_1155665.php/Judges_amnesty_decision_draws_fire_in_Chile



Judge Victor Montiglio

Earlier story: JUDGE IN CHILE APPLIES AMNESTY LAW TO CARAVAN OF DEATH CASE
Application Of Pinochet-Era Law Sparks Heated Controversy

http://www.tcgnews.com/santiagotimes/index.php?nav=story&story_id=11089&topic_id=1