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Crowds turn out for Jara funeral | Crowds turn out for Jara funeral |
(27 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people have turned out for the funeral of Chilean singer Victor Jara, who is being reburied 36 years after he died in a military coup. | Thousands of people have turned out for the funeral of Chilean singer Victor Jara, who is being reburied 36 years after he died in a military coup. |
Well-wishers scattered flowers as his cortege made its way to a cemetery. | Well-wishers scattered flowers as his cortege made its way to a cemetery. |
Mr Jara was one of the most prominent victims of the 1973 coup that brought Gen Augusto Pinochet to power. | Mr Jara was one of the most prominent victims of the 1973 coup that brought Gen Augusto Pinochet to power. |
His body was exhumed in June so that a court could clarify the circumstances of his death. It was established that he had been shot more than 30 times. | His body was exhumed in June so that a court could clarify the circumstances of his death. It was established that he had been shot more than 30 times. |
'Advancing in justice' | 'Advancing in justice' |
Mr Jara's British-born widow Joan, now in her 80s, led the funeral procession as it wound through the streets of the capital Santiago. | |
Victor Jara: one of more than 3,000 victims of the 1973-1990 military rule | Victor Jara: one of more than 3,000 victims of the 1973-1990 military rule |
The coffin was draped in the singer's trademark red-and-black woollen poncho, the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago reports. | The coffin was draped in the singer's trademark red-and-black woollen poncho, the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago reports. |
Some well-wishers brought guitars, and many sang the songs that made Victor Jara a national icon, our correspondent says. | Some well-wishers brought guitars, and many sang the songs that made Victor Jara a national icon, our correspondent says. |
Mr Jara's remains will be reburied in Santiago's general cemetery later on Saturday. | Mr Jara's remains will be reburied in Santiago's general cemetery later on Saturday. |
Earlier, thousands of people paid their last respects to the singer during a three-day wake in the capital. | Earlier, thousands of people paid their last respects to the singer during a three-day wake in the capital. |
"I believe that finally, after 36 years, Victor can rest in peace," Mrs Bachelet was quoted as saying by the Associated Press on Friday. | "I believe that finally, after 36 years, Victor can rest in peace," Mrs Bachelet was quoted as saying by the Associated Press on Friday. |
Remembering him is what keeps him alive and will continue to maintain him alive forever Wilda Garate, Victor Jara fan | Remembering him is what keeps him alive and will continue to maintain him alive forever Wilda Garate, Victor Jara fan |
She added that many other victims of the military regime deserved similar resolutions. | She added that many other victims of the military regime deserved similar resolutions. |
"That's why it's important that we keep advancing in truth and justice so that Chile can rest in peace," the president said. | "That's why it's important that we keep advancing in truth and justice so that Chile can rest in peace," the president said. |
Victor Jara was admired as a theatre director as well as for his folk songs and was a member of the Chilean Communist Party. | Victor Jara was admired as a theatre director as well as for his folk songs and was a member of the Chilean Communist Party. |
His widow Joan Turner, an English-born dancer, stood by her husband's coffin and greeted guests during the three-day wake. | His widow Joan Turner, an English-born dancer, stood by her husband's coffin and greeted guests during the three-day wake. |
Wilda Garate, a fan of Mr Jara, said the wake was a much-deserved tribute. | Wilda Garate, a fan of Mr Jara, said the wake was a much-deserved tribute. |
"This reaffirms the people's sentiment towards him," she said | "This reaffirms the people's sentiment towards him," she said |
"Remembering him is what keeps him alive and will continue to maintain him alive forever." | "Remembering him is what keeps him alive and will continue to maintain him alive forever." |
New evidence | New evidence |
Victor Jara was among thousands of people rounded up in the early days of Gen Pinochet's right-wing military coup, which ousted the elected leftist President Salvador Allende. | Victor Jara was among thousands of people rounded up in the early days of Gen Pinochet's right-wing military coup, which ousted the elected leftist President Salvador Allende. |
He was taken to the Chile Stadium in Santiago where he was tortured and killed. His broken body was found a few days later. | He was taken to the Chile Stadium in Santiago where he was tortured and killed. His broken body was found a few days later. |
Authorities reopened the investigation into his death last year, after new evidence was presented by his family. | Authorities reopened the investigation into his death last year, after new evidence was presented by his family. |
Earlier this year a former army conscript, Jose Adolfo Paredes Marquez, was charged over the killing. He denies responsibility for Mr Jara's death. | Earlier this year a former army conscript, Jose Adolfo Paredes Marquez, was charged over the killing. He denies responsibility for Mr Jara's death. |
The officer or officers who ordered his killing have never been formally identified. | The officer or officers who ordered his killing have never been formally identified. |
More than 3,000 people were killed or disappeared during military rule in Chile from 1973 to 1990. | More than 3,000 people were killed or disappeared during military rule in Chile from 1973 to 1990. |