Torture allegations

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33513, 19 April 1974, Page 11

Torture allegations

i\ l P A.-Reuter—Copyright) SANTIAGO, April 18. Five of 67 persons on trial before a Court Martial in Santiago have been

tortured, according to their defence lawyer. The Court Martial is the first of an expected series of j •purge” trials, aimed at cleansing the Chilean armed forces of supporters of the late socialist President. Dr Salvador Allende. Dr Allende died, aged 65. during a bloody coup d’etat last September 11. The 67 men on trial in the Air Force Academy in a Santiago suburb are accused of crimes including treason, espionage and collaboration with "terrorist” plans during the period of Dr Allende’s rule, which began in November. 1970. In his opening statement to the tribunal, the Air Force prosecutor demanded the death penalty for six of' the accused During the first trial recess, the defence lawver. Mr Alberto Garreton. told newsmen: ”Mv five defendants were tortured. They were physically! compelled to sign state- 1 ments. The\ were beaten and given electric shock treat-

ment.” Mr Garreton said, but he did not have suffiicient evidence to make a 'formal accusation before thej '.Court. _