Pinochet 'may refuse indictment interrogation'

Associates of General Augusto Pinochet have warned he may refuse interrogation by the judge seeking to try him.

The former Chilean dictator may be interrogated to assess whether he is fit enough to be indicted on murder and kidnapping charges.

Judge Juan Guzman is seeking to indict Pinochet on charges stemming from the "Caravan of Death," a military commando raid that executed 55 political prisoners shortly after the 1973 coup that brought Pinochet to power.

The calls from his supporters come after Pinochet went to the army hospital for the resumption of tests started the day before.

On Wednesday, Pinochet remained for eight hours at the hospital and then was taken to a private clinic for a brain scan. Today's session was dedicated mostly to psychiatric tests.

The process seeks to determine whether he is fit to stand trial. He has diabetes, arthritis, uses a pacemaker and has suffered three mild strokes since late 1998.

The judge indicted Pinochet last month but the charges were tossed out by the Supreme Court because Guzman failed to interrogate Pinochet first. Guzman set the new dates for the questioning after Pinochet refused to appear last week.

Retired General Guillermo Garin, Pinochet's spokesman, said the questioning can only take place after the results of the medical tests have been released. The tests are like to last until Saturday.

He also said Pinochet's defence is considering yet another effort to have Guzman removed from the case, although the Supreme Court has backed Guzman twice. The defence argues the judge is biased.