Pinochet defence rejected

CHILE'S Supreme Court ruled yesterday that murder and kidnapping charges against General Augusto Pinochet can move forward, a decision that brings the former dictator one step closer to trial in a major human rights case.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision to throw out a defence motion that argued Mr Pinochet, 89, is not mentally alert enough to defend himself. However, the defence will still have other opportunities to block the trial.

The court's five-judge criminal panel voted three-to-two in the ruling against Mr Pinochet, who has never been put on trial for human rights violations under his 1973-1990 rule, despite several high-profile cases against him.