Chilean government admits torture victim

Medical examiners in Chile say a man held in police custody in Santiago had been tortured before dying from a heart attack.

The man, Raul Palma Salgado is the first confirmed victim of torture by the authorities since Chile returned to democratic rule eight years ago.

A government minister, Belisario Velasco, said torture was unacceptable in a democracy; a full investigation has been promised.

The BBC South America Correspondent says although the Chilean police force had a poor human rights record in the 1970's and 80's, officers are now more widely trusted.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service