The Pinochet case: Timeline

BBC News Online's guide through the key landmarks in General Pinochet's extradition battle, with links to the main news stories.

October 1998

General Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London on a warrant from Spain requesting his extradition on murder charges.
Pinochet arrested (17 October)

In Chile, news of the arrest is greeted with disbelief, and a mixture of anger and delight.
Chileans react with disbelief (18 October)
Call for calm after Chile protest (20 October)

General Pinochet succeeds in a legal challenge against his arrest and detention in the UK at the High Court in London, arguing that his arrest was unlawful.
Pinochet arrest ruled unlawful (28 October)

General Pinochet is bailed at London's High Court while the House of Lords decides if he has immunity from prosecution.
Pinochet bailed (30 October)

November 1998

In his first public statement since his arrest, General Pinochet vows to fight extradition attempts "with all my spirit".
Defiant Pinochet breaks his silence (8 November)
Statement in full (8 November)

The UK's highest court, the Law Lords, rules that General Pinochet can face an attempt to extradite him to Spain, dismissing an earlier ruling by the High Court that as a former head of state he is immune from prosecution.
Lords rule against Pinochet (25 November)
Nail-biter in the Lords (25 November)

December 1998

UK Home Secretary Jack Straw rejects appeals by General Augusto Pinochet's lawyers and allows the extradition case to go ahead.
Straw gives go-ahead for extradition bid (9 December)

General Pinochet makes a brief appearance in court, during which he refuses to recognise the right to be tried by any court outside Chile.
Defiant Pinochet blasts 'Spanish lies' (11 December)

The Chilean Government announces a series of measures taken following the UK's decision not to send General Pinochet back to Chile.
Chile cuts contacts with UK (12 December)

A letter is released from General Pinochet to the Chilean people which he describes as his "political testament".
Pinochet's letter to Chile (12 December)

Lawyers acting for General Pinochet announce plans to challenge the UK home secretary's decision authorising the extradition process.
Pinochet to challenge Straw decision (14 December)

The UK Law Lords rule that General Pinochet can have a fresh hearing into whether he is immune from prosecution, setting aside an earlier Law Lords ruling.
Pinochet gets new hearing (17 December)

The Chilean Government welcomes the new ruling.
Chilean Government relieved (17 December)

January - March 1999

General Pinochet reportedly tells his family he is resigned to dying in the UK if necessary.
I'll die in Britain, predicts Pinochet (17 January)

Lawyers for General Pinochet make an unprecedented second appearance before the UK's highest court in a renewed attempt to block his extradition to Spain.
Judges rerun Pinochet hearing (18 January)
Pinochet 'tortures not crimes against humanity' (27 January)
Pinochet hearing closes (4 February)
Date set for ruling (17 March)

General Pinochet waits to learn if the UK's highest court is to grant him immunity from prosecution.
Pinochet's moment of truth (24 March)

General Pinochet loses his appeal for immunity from prosecution in a historic second ruling by the UK's highest court, but in a major boost to the general, the Law Lords reduce the number of charges against him, and ask Home Secretary Jack Straw to reconsider the case.
Pinochet loses Lords case (24 March)

Opponents and supporters of General Pinochet cautiously welcome the Law Lords' ruling.
Mixed emotions over Pinochet ruling (24 March)

UK Home Secretary Jack Straw is considering the latest legal complexities entangling Spanish attempts to extradite General Pinochet from Britain to face torture charges.
Straw considers Pinochet case (24 March)

April - September 1999

UK Home Secretary Jack Straw rules that Augusto Pinochet cannot go free, and allows Spain permission to go ahead with an extradition request.
Straw blocks freedom for Pinochet (15 April)

Augusto Pinochet says he regards himself as a political prisoner in Britain and strongly denies any direct role in human rights abuses.
Pinochet: 'I'm a political prisoner' (18 July)

A judge in Chile orders the intelligence service chief during the rule of General Pinochet to stand trial for murder.
Pinochet ally in murder trial (15 September)

Chile says it will bring Spain before the United Nations' top court to contest their request for the extradition of Augusto Pinochet from the UK.
Chile to fight Pinochet extradition (28 September)

October - December 1999

General Pinochet is excused from appearing at a London hearing in his fight against extradition after a court hears he has recently suffered two minor strokes.
Pinochet excused court after strokes (6 October)

A UK court rules that General Pinochet can be extradited to Spain to stand trial for torture and human rights charges.
Way cleared for extradition (8 October)

The Home Office asks General Pinochet to undergo medical tests after his third stroke raises concerns he is unfit for extradition.
Pinochet offered medical tests (5 November)

January 2000

A team of medical experts carry out tests on the general at a hospital in north London.
Pinochet completes health check (5 January)

Following results of the medical tests, Home Secretary Jack Straw says he is "minded" to release General Pinochet.
Anger over Pinochet decision (12 January)