Swiss government remains firm on Pinochet extradition

The Swiss authorities have held on to their request to have the former Chilean dictator extradited from Britain on charges of human rights violations, while a deadline set by the British government for objections to be lodged has passed.

The Swiss authorities have held on to their request to have the former Chilean dictator extradited from Britain on charges of human rights violations, while a deadline set by the British government for objections to be lodged has passed.

The British home secretary, Jack Straw, had requested any such representations to be made by Tuesday evening.

The Swiss justice and police ministry says it does not accept health reasons for Pinochet not to be extradited. Ministry spokesman Folco Galli told Swiss Radio International that health reasons justify a delay in the extradition, but not a cancellation of the extradition request. However, Galli said Switzerland would not start legal proceedings against Britain.

It is understood a Chilean airforce plane will arrive in Britain today and will remain on standby, in case Pinochet is released for a return to Chile.
However, the final decision which rests with the British home secretary as to whether Pinochet can walk free has yet to be made.

Pinochet is wanted in Switzerland in connection with the case of a joint Swiss-Chilean national who disappeared in the late 1970s.

From staff and wire reports