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Pinochet's funeral held in Chile | |
(30 minutes later) | |
The funeral of Chile's former military leader Augusto Pinochet is taking place in the capital, Santiago. | |
President Michele Bachelet, herself a torture victim during the Pinochet government, is not attending. | |
She sent her defence minister, whose arrival at the funeral was heckled by the general's supporters. | |
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. | 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. |
The Chilean government has denied the general a state funeral, so the ceremony is being conducted with military honours at the capital's Military Academy. | |
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' | 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' |
Flags there are being flown at half-mast and several thousand of the general's supporters have gathered outside the building, holding photographs of the former leader. | |
After the ceremony, Gen Pinochet's body will be taken by helicopter to a crematorium on the coast, and his ashes given to his family. | |
Earlier, Ms Bachelet said Chileans should not forget what happened under Gen Pinochet. | Earlier, Ms Bachelet 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 interest of the people, she added. | |
Mixed feelings | |
His death has sparked conflicting emotions in the country. Opponents have celebrated, but others are mourning their former leader. | |
Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month Gen Pinochet's life | Gen Pinochet celebrated his 91st birthday last month Gen Pinochet's life |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
But others are angry he died without justice being done over the charges he faces. | |
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." |
'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. |