Pinochet family defiant over trial

The family of Chile's former military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet has responded defiantly to the decision by the country's Supreme Court to strip him of immunity from prosecution.

The General's son, Marco Antonio Pinochet said his father was in no condition to stand trial on alleged human rights abuses and he would not observe a court ruling that he must undergo medical tests.

The Chilean president, Ricardo Lagos has meanwhile urged the country to respect the Supreme Court's decision, warning that the world was watching.

Many Chileans outside the court cheered the decision while others, including senior members of the armed forces, were quick to show their support for General Pinochet.

More than three-thousand people were killed or disappeared after the army took power under the General in a coup in 1973.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service