Pinochet decision 'a milestone for Chile's judiciary'

The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture is delighted at the decision of Chile's Supreme Court to strip General Augusto Pinochet of his immunity from prosecution.

Director Helen Bamber said: "We are relieved that justice might still be seen to be done. This is a mile stone for Chile's judiciary, and the rule of law in that country.

"Clearly his lawyers will now attempt to show that he is not fit to stand trial. We hope that the courts will take into account when determining his state of health a report recently entered into the proceedings there by the Medical Foundation's Head of Clinical Psychology, Dr Nimisha Patel.

"She believes that the neuropsychological assessment of General Pinochet carried out by Dr Maria Wyke on behalf of Home Secretary Jack Straw was inadequate in may respects, including the tests that were used and those that were omitted, and the interpretation of the test results. These shortcomings put into question the validity of the assessment itself.

A summary report by three doctors that concluded that General Pinochet would not at present be mentally capable of meaningful participation in a trial