Pinochet out of danger following heart attack

FORMER Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet’s condition is no longer life-threatening, doctors said last night.

But they dismissed claims that Pinochet’s heart attack was exaggerated to allow him to avoid prosecution for abuses during his 1973-’90 regime.

A priest administered last rites to the 91-year-old on Sunday after he suffered an acute heart attack and surgeons performed emergency angioplasty to enlarge an artery and restore the flow of blood to his heart.

Yesterday, doctors confirmed that Pinochet was out of danger for now, but that he must remain for at least 10 days at the Santiago Military Hospital.

“He is no longer in critical condition,” said Dr Juan Ignacio Vergara, spokesman for the medical team treating Pinochet.

“His life is no longer at risk.”