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Chile's Pinochet has heart attack | Chile's Pinochet has heart attack |
(30 minutes later) | |
Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet is in a serious but stable condition after being treated for a heart attack, doctors have said. | |
The 91-year-old, who was put under house arrest a few days ago, is in a military hospital in 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. | 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. |
Doctors had carried out "procedures that rescued him virtually from death," Gen Pinochet's son, Marco Antonio Pinochet told reporters gathered outside the hospital. | Doctors had carried out "procedures that rescued him virtually from death," Gen Pinochet's son, Marco Antonio Pinochet told reporters gathered outside the hospital. |
"He's in a pretty serious state...We're in the hands of God and the doctors." | "He's in a pretty serious state...We're in the hands of God and the doctors." |
The former leader received the last rites from a Catholic priest, a family spokesman said. | |
One of the medical staff, Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara, said Gen Pinochet was in a stable condition but his life was not out of danger. | |
Gen Pinochet underwent angioplasty, a procedure designed to widen a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel, to stabilise his condition, he said. | |
'Political responsibility' | 'Political responsibility' |
General Pinochet overthrew the elected government of the left-wing President Salvador Allende in 1973 in a bloody coup. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |