Pinochet suffers mild stroke

Former dictator General Augusto Pinochet suffered a mild stroke today, fainting at his home before regaining consciousness at a military hospital, his spokesman said.

The hospital was preparing a statement on Pinochet’s condition, Retired General Guillermo Garin said.

Pinochet, 89, has suffered several similar strokes in recent years, including one a month ago for which he was briefly in hospital.

The retired general’s relatives rushed to the Santiago Military hospital after he was brought there from his suburban Santiago mansion.

Pinochet also suffers from diabetes, arthritis and has a pacemaker, according to his doctors, and courts have cited his health twice to block his trial on charges related to human rights abuses during his 1973-90 dictatorship.

His opponents claim he and his associates have exaggerated his health problems to escape trial.