Pinochet 'too sick' to stand trial

The trial of General Augusto Pinochet for alleged human rights violations has been suspended as the former Chilean dictator is too ill.

A three-judge panel at the Santiago Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to put off the legal action against Pinochet.

Prosecution lawyers are seeking a reversal of the ruling.

"We have five days now to organise our strategy and we will go all the way,'' said lawyer Hiram Villagra.

His colleague Eduardo Contreras said: "This ruling is the result of political pressures over the court.

"But Pinochet will still go into history as indicted on human rights charges,'' Mr Contreras said.

"The trial was only suspended because he is allegedly ill or crazy.''

The ruling in theory only temporarily suspends the legal action against the 85-year-old former ruler, citing his deteriorated health.

However, the possibilities of a trial resuming appear unlikely given Pinochet's age and his health problems.

Pinochet suffers from diabetes, arthritis, carries a pacemaker and has suffered

three mild strokes since 1998.

"This is disappointing indeed but Pinochet will remain in history as having been spared from trial because he is crazy,'' said Carmen Hertz, another prosecution lawyer.

Chilean law only exempts from prosecution those pronounced mad or demented,

but Pinochet's lawyers insist the retired general's poor health prevents him

from properly organising his defence.

Pinochet faces charges of covering up 18 kidnappings and 57 murders in the

early weeks of his 1973-90 dictatorship.