Chileans protest pro-Pinochet tribute; 7 injured

[bemildred]

(AP) SANTIAGO, Chile — Chilean police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators who protested against an event honoring a former military officer imprisoned for killings during the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

At least seven people were injured, including six police officers, during the clashes Monday night outside an exclusive club in Santiago, where about 1,000 protesters had congregated. Protesters hurled rocks at police, and nine demonstrators were arrested.

Chilean human rights activists organized the protest to condemn the gathering in honor of ex-Brigadier Miguel Krassnoff, who is serving a 144-year prison sentence for crimes related to the kidnappings and killings of government opponents during Pinochet's rule from 1973 to 1990.

Several hundred people attended the tribute, which was organized with the help of Cristian Labbe, the right-wing mayor of Santiago's Providencia district, who also was a police official in Pinochet's regime.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501715_162-57329419/chileans-protest-pro-pinochet-tribute-7-injured/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Glad it was possible to kick this right-wing crap to the front page in Chile.

People need to be reminded they have elected a pro-Pinochet President, and it's acting to encourage the murderous scum of the right-wing to flex its muscle. Everyone already knows what Chile's right wing is capable of doing when it seizes power.

Fracking a-holes.

From the posted article:

Krassnoff has been imprisoned since 2005 after being convicted of homicide, kidnapping and torture. He was charged in 23 separate cases, which officials said involved 128 deaths or disappearances and 18 instances of torture.

A judge on Monday opened a new case against Krassnoff and three others for the disappearance of an engineer in 1974.

When word of plans for the tribute emerged, activists promptly organized the protest.

"The possibility of paying homage to Miguel Krassnoff ... is a product of the impunity we're living with in the country," said Lorena Pizarro, president of a group of families of the detained and disappeared.

Thank you, bemildred. Rec.