Last updated: Monday, December 11, 2006

PINOCHET DIES AT 91

Chile's former leader GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET died in Santiago's Military Hospital yesterday afternoon (10DEC06). He was 91.

Pinochet died with his family at his bedside at 14:15 local time, a week after suffering a heart attack (03DEC06). Thousands of Pinochet supporters crowded outside the hospital and wept upon hearing news of his death.

Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected Marxist government of SALVADOR ALLENDE in a bloody military coup in June 1973.

During his 17-year rule, over 3,000 people were killed or 'disappeared'. Pinochet was accused of abusing human rights and fraud, but despite his arrest in London in 1998, he never stood trial due to his ill health.

The South American country is divided over whether Pinochet was a hero or a villain. His supporters claim he saved the nation from communism, while others see him as a man who ended democracy and is responsible for torture and murder during his rule.

Pinochet will not be given a state funeral, but the government has given the military permission to give him a military funeral.

He is survived by his widow LUCIA, two sons AUGUSTO and MARCO, and three daughters VERONICA, JACQUELINE and LUCIA.

Source: WENN

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