This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6203476.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chile's Pinochet has heart attack | Chile's Pinochet has heart attack |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet is in a serious condition after a heart attack, hospital officials say. | Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet is in a serious condition after a heart attack, hospital officials say. |
| The 91-year-old, who has been under house arrest, is in a military hospital in the Chilean capital, Santiago. | The 91-year-old, who has been under house arrest, is in a military hospital in the Chilean capital, Santiago. |
| Gen Pinochet was in power from 1973-90, during which time more than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared". | Gen Pinochet was in power from 1973-90, during which time more than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared". |
| He is accused of dozens of human rights violations but has never faced trial because of poor health. | He is accused of dozens of human rights violations but has never faced trial because of poor health. |
| He was taken to hospital early on Sunday morning after suffering "an acute" heart attack and a build-up of fluid on his lungs, a statement from the hospital said. | |
| "His condition is serious but stable," the hospital said. | "His condition is serious but stable," the hospital said. |
| 'Political responsibility' | |
| General Pinochet overthrew the elected government of the left-wing President Salvador Allende in 1973 in a bloody coup. | |
| He was placed under house arrest earlier this week over the abduction of two people in 1973. | |
| The charges relate to the Caravan of Death - a military operation to remove opponents to Gen Pinochet's rule. | |
| He currently faces two other indictments - one for human rights abuses and another for tax evasion. | |
| As a former president he enjoys legal immunity, but the courts can strip him of this privilege on a case-by-case basis. | |
| On 25 November, his 91st birthday, Gen Pinochet issued a statement in which he took "political responsibility" for acts that took place under his rule, saying that he had believed they were in Chile's best interests. | On 25 November, his 91st birthday, Gen Pinochet issued a statement in which he took "political responsibility" for acts that took place under his rule, saying that he had believed they were in Chile's best interests. |
| He also alluded to his failing health. | He also alluded to his failing health. |
| "Today, close to the end of my days, I want to make clear that I hold no rancour toward anybody, that I love my country above all else," he said. | "Today, close to the end of my days, I want to make clear that I hold no rancour toward anybody, that I love my country above all else," he said. |
| Gen Pinochet has been in ill health in recent years. He suffers from diabetes and arthritis, and has also had a number of suspected strokes. |