Britain would free Pinochet

London - Britain said yesterday that former Chilean dictator Gen Augusto Pinochet would be free to go home if Spain dropped its…

London - Britain said yesterday that former Chilean dictator Gen Augusto Pinochet would be free to go home if Spain dropped its request that he be extradited to face human rights charges. However, civil liberties lawyers said they would press for the general to be prosecuted in Britain under the international convention on torture.

Gen Pinochet - arrested in London in October at Spain's request to face charges of murder, torture and hostage taking - is due in court next month for an extradition hearing.