Chilean court rules against Pinochet arrest

The Supreme Court in Chile has ruled that an order to arrest and indict the former military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet, on kidnap and murder charges is unlawful.

In a vote by four to one, the Supreme Court judges upheld a ruling by a lower court that the warrant was invalid because the investigating judge, Juan Guzman, had not followed the correct legal procedure.

However, correspondents say the decision does not mean that General Pinochet has escaped the possibility of a trial.

Mr Guzman will be able to lodge further charges after he has questioned General Pinochet and if medical tests show that he is fit to stand trial.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service