Pinochet Goes Free, For Now

Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is a free man again, after spending 43 days under house arrest.

An appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling to allow Pinochet to go free on about $3,500 bail.

The appeals court earlier dropped homicide and kidnapping charges against the retired general. The charges stemmed from the "Caravan of Death," a military group that executed 75 political prisoners after Pinochet came to power in 1973.

But the court let cover-up charges stand. As a result, Pinochet will have to submit to normal fingerprint and police photograph procedures, and he could face a trial in connection with the charges, if his health holds up.

Doctors in January said the 85-year-old Pinochet suffers from "moderate dementia" brought on by minor strokes. He also has diabetes and arthritis and wears a pacemaker.

Plaintiffs, human rights activists and relatives of the victims claim members of the caravan acted on Pinochet's orders in carrying out the killings.

Prosecution lawyer Hiram Villagra said despite the fact that the more serious charges of homicide and kidnapping were dropped, by allowing the cover-up charges to stand, the appeals court at least "confirms that Pinochet had participation in the criminal acts.

"But it cannot be considered as a mere cover-up, because Pinochet gave the orders," Villagra said.

Lawyer Carmen Hertz, a member of the prosecution team and widow of one of the victims of the caravan, said "we are not satisfied, of course, but the ruling still means that Pinochet is considered a criminal."

Another prosecution lawyer, Hugo Gutierres, said he and his colleagues will take a few days to decide on their next steps.