Court releases Pinochet from house arrest

On the eve of his 90th birthday, a Chilean court today granted General Augusto Pinochet freedom on bail from the house arrest ordered yesterday by a judge who indicted the former dictator on tax evasion and corruption charges.

The Santiago Court of Appeals also approved a request by Pinochet’s defence lawyers and reduced by half the bail originally set by Judge Carlos Cerda, leaving it at six million pesos (€9,700).

Cerda had indicted Pinochet yesterday and said that at his age he posed no danger for society, so he could be freed on bail should the Court approve it.

Pinochet’s chief lawyer today confirmed he will appeal the indictment within the five-day-deadline set by the law.

Pinochet remained at his eastern Santiago mansion where, according to published reports, friends and relatives will gather for a luncheon tomorrow to mark his birthday.