Chilean media say Pinochet's immunity lifted

The Supreme Court in Chile is reported to have decided to strip the former military leader, General Augusto Pinochet, of his immunity from prosecution.

The court's yet to confirm this, saying it won't release its verdict until next week.

But Chilean newspapers quote court sources as saying the judges voted narrowly against the general.

The BBC correspondent in Santiago says that -- if true -- it will be the first step towards a possible trial.

New medical tests would have to be ordered to determine whether General Pinochet is fit to face trial on charges of human rights abuses allegedly committed during his seventeen years in power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service