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Comment by brudgers | Hacker News Reader

The British didn't seem quite so committed to extraditing Augusto Pinochet. This despite the fact that he had been indicted for crimes against humanity, not simply wanted for questioning as is the case for Mr. Assange.

In the case of Pinochet, there were four extradition requests: Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and France.

However, the British government took Mr. Pinochet's frail health into account and ultimately released him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment_and_arrest_of_August...

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And many people detest in the UK and detest that decision and the woman who made it.

And so what if you make a bad decision historically? Are you suggesting that having made one that's a precedent and we should continue doing the wrong thing?

The rights and wrongs of this case aren't determined about mistakes that may or may not have been made in the past.

Please don't downvote, I just can't miss this opportunity to re-tell a joke from the time (Everton, an English football team, had a reputation for being boring to watch).

What do Everton and General Pinochet have in common?

They both force people into football stadiums and torture them.

Are you referring to Maggie Thatcher? She was quite vocal at the time but was long out of office by then

My mistake.

As it was Blair then obviously a decent, honest humanitarian decision... joke

EDIT: It wasn't Mrs. T but I stand by the fact that it wouldn't be a decision that most in the UK would support, whoever made it.

Tony Blair was Prime Minister when Pinochet was detained (pity the fool who calls him "Mr. T"). Thatcher, however, publicly opposed his extradition.

The rumor goes Pinochet secretly helped Britain during the Falkland islands war. Because of this, there was no way the British government would allow anyone to get their hands on him.

Pinochet was a useful asset to the UK during the Falklands war, keeping regular Argentine troops committed to the mainland and helping UK Special Forces carry out clandestine missions there. In actuality, 'morality' and the 'rule of law', when quoted by politicians, are platitudes. The reality is rewards are expected and granted for political favours, and I think it is likely Pinochet's ill health was simply a convenient excuse to release him.

Link to BBC report from the time http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/599526.stm

Ecuadorian Anglo relations are currently strained over the sovereignty of the Falklands/Malvinas.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-02-05/americas/world_americas_v...

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