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Chileans set for Pinochet funeral Pinochet funeral begins in Chile
(about 1 hour later)
Final preparations are under way for the funeral of Chile's former military leader, Augusto Pinochet, in the capital, Santiago. The funeral has begun in the Chilean capital, Santiago, of the former military leader, Augusto Pinochet.
Gen Pinochet, who ruled for 17 years, died on Sunday aged 91. He was accused of dozens of human rights abuses. Gen Pinochet, who ruled for 17 years, died on Sunday aged 91. Thousands died or disappeared during his rule and he was accused of human rights abuses.
His death has sparked conflicting emotions in the South American nation. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader.His death has sparked conflicting emotions in the South American nation. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader.
Tens of thousands of people have filed past his coffin to pay their respects.Tens of thousands of people have filed past his coffin to pay their respects.
Gen Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule.Gen Pinochet took power in a coup in 1973. More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his rule.
The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial.The former leader was accused of fraud as well as human rights abuses, but poor health meant he never faced trial.
Despite his human rights record, many Chileans revered Gen Pinochet, believing he saved the country from Marxism and put Chile onto a path of strong economic growth.Despite his human rights record, many Chileans revered Gen Pinochet, believing he saved the country from Marxism and put Chile onto a path of strong economic growth.
'Horrible crimes''Horrible crimes'
Gen Pinochet is to be given a military funeral, due to start at 1100 local time (1400 GMT). He will then be cremated and his ashes given to his family. Gen Pinochet is receiving a military funeral. He will then be cremated and his ashes given to his family.
He will not be honoured by the state, although some flags have been flown at half-mast. He is not being honoured by the state, although some flags have been flown at half-mast.
The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes Hugo Gutierrez Human rights lawyer In pictures: Pinochet wake Chilean readers' views 'Pinochet was evil' President Michele Bachelet will not attend the ceremony, but is to send her defence minister. The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes Hugo Gutierrez Human rights lawyer In pictures: Pinochet wake Chilean readers' views 'Pinochet was evil'
She said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet. President Michele Bachelet is not attending the ceremony, but the defence minister was booed as she made her entrance.
Earlier, she said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet.
"Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said."Only then will we have a constructive vision of our future, guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of all Chileans," she said.
The decision to refuse a state funeral was in the best interests of the people, she added.The decision to refuse a state funeral was in the best interests of the people, she added.
There will be no public monument to Gen Pinochet because of fears it would be attacked by his opponents, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Santiago.There will be no public monument to Gen Pinochet because of fears it would be attacked by his opponents, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Santiago.
Emotions are running high, he says, with Gen Pinochet provoking the same strong emotions in death as he did while alive. Tensions are running high, he says, with Gen Pinochet provoking the same strong emotions in death as he did while alive.
Open coffinOpen coffin
News of Gen Pinochet's death on Sunday brought thousands of Chileans out onto the streets.News of Gen Pinochet's death on Sunday brought thousands of Chileans out onto the streets.
Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month Gen Pinochet's lifeGen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month Gen Pinochet's life
Opponents of the former leader celebrated in a carnival atmosphere in the centre of Santiago. Clashes later broke out, leaving a number of police injured, and further minor scuffles and arrests were reported on Monday.Opponents of the former leader celebrated in a carnival atmosphere in the centre of Santiago. Clashes later broke out, leaving a number of police injured, and further minor scuffles and arrests were reported on Monday.
Many people have expressed anger that Gen Pinochet died without justice being done regarding the charges against him.Many people have expressed anger that Gen Pinochet died without justice being done regarding the charges against him.
A lawyer for some of the victims, Hugo Gutierrez, said: "The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes."A lawyer for some of the victims, Hugo Gutierrez, said: "The criminal died without every knowing the meaning of being convicted for all his horrible crimes."
But on Monday, as many as 60,000 people are estimated to have filed past his open coffin as he lay, dressed in an army uniform, at Santiago's Military Academy. But on Monday, as many as 60,000 people are estimated to have filed past his open coffin as his body lay, dressed in an army uniform, at Santiago's Military Academy.
The military authorities kept the auditorium open overnight to ensure all who wanted to pay their respects could do so.The military authorities kept the auditorium open overnight to ensure all who wanted to pay their respects could do so.
"This man rescued us from anarchy," one mourner, Alicia Mejia, told the Associated Press news agency."This man rescued us from anarchy," one mourner, Alicia Mejia, told the Associated Press news agency.
'Soul of Chile''Soul of Chile'
In September 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically-elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende.In September 1973, Gen Pinochet led the armed forces in a dramatic coup against the democratically-elected Marxist government of Salvador Allende.
The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world.The violence of the uprising and the oppression that followed shook the world.
In November this year, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.In November this year, Gen Pinochet was placed under house arrest over the abduction of two people in 1973.
The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.The charges - the latest in a series - related to the so-called Caravan of Death, a military operation to remove opponents of his rule.
Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation.Church leaders have said that his death is a chance for national reconciliation.
It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.It was time "to pray for the soul of Gen Pinochet, but also for the soul of Chile," Santiago Archbishop Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz said.