Former dictator Augusto Pinochet was today fighting for his life at a Chilean military hospital after suffering a heart attack, but doctors said he was improving after an emergency angioplasty to restore blood flow to his heart.

Doctors tonight ruled out bypass surgery on Chile’s former dictator Augusto Pinochet, who is fighting for his life at a military hospital after suffering a major heart attack.

General Augusto Pinochet cannot be tried on human rights charges because of his deteriorating health and mental condition, a divided court ruled yesterday, effectively bringing the 85-year-old former dictator’s legal troubles to an end.