Pinochet Treated at Hospital, Aides Say

Retired Gen. Augusto Pinochet was treated at a Santiago hospital Thursday for problems related to his diabetes, associates said, a day after Chile’s top court ordered him questioned to possibly face homicide and kidnapping charges.

The 85-year-old former dictator felt bad in the morning and was transferred to the hospital after a doctor’s exam, said the Pinochet Foundation, a private group of supporters and former Pinochet aides.

Two hours later, Pinochet left the hospital amid tight security and rode home in a motorcade of armored automobiles and police.

An associate said Pinochet was treated for a blood pressure problem, and, in a brief communique, the army said Pinochet also went to the hospital “to continue a dental treatment” started in recent days.

The hospital visit came at a time when Pinochet is due to undergo mental and neurological tests to see if he is fit to stand trial for alleged human rights abuses during his 1973-90 rule.

On Thursday, special magistrate Juan Guzman set Jan. 21 as the date for the tests.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court dropped homicide and kidnapping charges related to alleged killings of political prisoners soon after Pinochet came to power--but left the door open for the charges to be refiled.

The court said Guzman should have questioned Pinochet before indicting him Dec. 1. At the same time, the five justices ordered Guzman to question Pinochet within 20 days--giving the judge a chance to issue a new indictment. On Thursday, Guzman said he will conduct the questioning Wednesday.