-- Mural of Victor Jara --
Chile's Supreme Court on Thursday stripped former dictator Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution in a notorious human rights case, raising hopes of victims that he may finally face trial for abuses during his 17-year regime.
The 9-8 ruling upheld a lower court decision in May that removed the immunity granted Pinochet as a former head of state.
The lower court said the retired general, 88, could be charged in connection with the disappearance of 19 leftists in the mid-1970s as part of "Operation Condor," a joint effort by South American dictators to wipe out dissidents including singer-songwriter, Victor Jara.
Jara was one of the founding fathers of Chile's 'New Song' movement which in 1970 helped elect the democratic popular unity government of Salvador Allente. As a result Chile's right wing, ie Pinochet, hated him.
Pinochet's coup saw Jara arrested and led to Santiago's boxing stadium where
he was tortured, beaten and electrocuted. In the end, his hands and wrists were broken before being machine-gunned to death at the age of 38.
Perhaps now we'll (finally) see some justice.
Spring is almost upon us here. Days aer looking brighter and everyone is a little more frisky over here.
have a great weekend!
Glad we're friends.