Up to 40 people were arrested when supporters of Gen Augusto Pinochet became violent outside the British embassy in Chile. Water cannons were used to scatter the pro-Pinochet supporters who gathered in Santiago yesterday on the first anniversary of the former dictator's arrest in Britain.
The violent scenes were in contrast to a similar demonstration organised yesterday by anti-Pinochet protesters at the estate in Wentworth, Surrey where Gen Pinochet (83) is detained under 24-hour police guard. Although the 300 protesters demonstrated noisily outside the former Chilean dictator's home, there were no arrests.
The protesters, including Chilean emigres and human rights activists, want to see the general extradited to Spain on torture charges relating to crimes allegedly committed during his 1973-90 rule. In a carnival atmosphere they sang songs, played music and listened to speeches condemning the Pinochet regime and demanding justice.