Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pinochet taken to hospital for tests

Gary Finn
Wednesday 19 May 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE FORMER Chilean dictator, General Augusto Pinochet, was taken to hospital yesterday from the Surrey mansion where he has been under armed police guard.

A source close the general, who is fighting extradition to Spain, said he was taken to hospital for "regular tests".

"There is no reason to believe there is anything serious," the source said. "His doctor just felt the need for some tests. He is 83 years old," he added.

General Pinochet is due in the High Court in London next week when he will seek permission to apply for judicial review of Home Secretary Jack Straw's decision to allow his extradition.

At a court hearing earlier this year, the Chilean senator's lawyers quashed rumours he was planning to plead he was too ill to face extradition proceedings.

Mr Straw, in his ruling last month, said: "It does not appear that the senator is unfit to stand trial."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in