DATE=1/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L UPDATE)
TITLE=BRITAIN / PINOCHET
NUMBER=2-258633
BYLINE=LOURDES NAVARRO
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A British court has rejected a legal challenge
by Belgium and six human-rights organizations in the
extradition case of former Chilean leader Augusto
Pinochet. But as Lourdes Navarro reports from London,
the legal wrangling continues.
TEXT: The presiding judge, Maurice Kay, announced his
decision to a crowded courtroom, saying he knew his
verdict would hurt those who had suffered, but that he
must reject the appeal.
Six human-rights groups and the government of Belgium
had launched the legal challenge that requested access
to a medical report on General Pinochet's health.
Earlier in the month, Britain's Home Secretary
(Interior Minister) Jack Straw, who has ultimate
jurisdiction over Mr. Pinochet's case, said he was
inclined to release the general. He said the report
showed the general is too ill to stand trial. But he
said he would keep the contents of the report private
because of doctor-patient confidentiality.
The human-rights groups' legal challenge was based on
their contention that Mr. Straw acted unfairly by
refusing to show them the report. They said they
could not properly contest the findings of a report
they had not seen.
But Justice Kay said - in legal terms, it is none of
their business. He said he is satisfied that Mr.
Straw acted lawfully and fairly.
Belgium has already appealed the decision. According
to legal sources, the case will be heard early next
week, postponing General Pinochet's release.
General Pinochet was arrested 15-months ago while in
Britain for medical treatment. The arrest was on a
Spanish extradition order, which seeks to try the
former Chilean leader for alleged human-rights abuses
during his 17-year rule. Belgium, France, and
Switzerland are also seeking his extradition.
A plane, ready to take the former leader back to
Chile, is standing by at an airport just outside
London.
NEB/LN/JWH/RAE
31-Jan-2000 11:54 AM EDT (31-Jan-2000 1654 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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