Pinochet family arrested in Chile

They are accused of illegally transferring $27m (£13.2m) to foreign bank accounts during the general's time in power between 1973 and 1990.

A judge ordered 17 other suspects to be held, including aides to Gen Pinochet.

Gen Pinochet died in December 2006 before he could stand trial on charges of corruption and human rights abuses.

More than 3,000 people were killed or "disappeared" during his military rule.

Pablo Rodriguez, the Pinochet family lawyer, said he was "astonished" by the decision, which he called "illegal and abusive".

He expressed confidence the ruling would be reversed on appeal.

Aides implicated

Gen Pinochet's 84-year-old widow, Lucia Hiriart, was taken to hospital with high blood pressure following her arrest.

However, Judge Carlos Cerda said there were "solid indications" the accused had "participated in the misuse of fiscal funds".

"No-one in Chile is above the law"
Michelle Bachelet
Chilean president

Judge Cerda is investigating a case in which Gen Pinochet allegedly hid funds with the help of Washington-based Riggs bank.

Suspects include Gen Pinochet's former personal secretary, Monica Ananias, and his lawyer Gustavo Collao.

At least three retired army generals - Jorge Ballerino, Guillermo Garin and Hector Letelier - were also charged.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said she would await the court's decision "with calm".

"No-one in Chile is above the law," she said.

RIGGS CASE

• 2004 US probe into Riggs bank found Gen Pinochet held up to $8m in secret accounts there
• Accounts alleged to have been opened in names of his widow, children and associates
• Further investigations found former ruler held some $27m in foreign accounts
• Gen Pinochet charged with tax evasion and using false passports to open accounts abroad
• His lawyers say fortune gained legally through savings, donations and accrued interest

In 2004 a US Senate investigation found hundreds of bank accounts in the name of Pinochet and his relatives at the bank. He was being investigated for tax evasion, fraud and embezzlement in relation to those funds.

His immunity from prosecution was stripped in 2000, sparking years of legal wrangling to try to bring him to trial for alleged human rights abuses and tax fraud.

His lawyers said he was unable to defend himself for health reasons.

In 2006, Gen Pinochet died of a heart attack aged 91 while under house arrest.