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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Chile's Pinochet has heart attack | Chile's Pinochet has heart attack |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet is in a serious but stable condition after being operated on after a heart attack, doctors have said. | |
| The 91-year-old needs a second intervention, state media has reported medics treating him as saying. | |
| The former leader, 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. |
| Angioplasty procedure | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | Gen Pinochet underwent angioplasty, a procedure designed to widen a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel, to stabilise his condition, he said. |
| Now, according to reports on Chilean state television, he needs a second operation, this time a heart by-pass. | |
| '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. |