Foes Seek to Block Pinochet’s Release

In last-ditch attempts to prevent former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet from being flown out of Britain and escaping trial in Spain on charges that he ordered people tortured during his 1973-90 regime, Spanish and Belgian prosecutors explored new ways to block his release. British Home Secretary Jack Straw has yet to announce his decision on whether Pinochet, 84, will be free to go home. Straw said last week that he was “minded” to release the former general from 15 months of house arrest after a team of independent doctors ruled that he was unfit to stand trial.