Pinochet daughter to appear in Chile court after dropping US asylum bid News
Pinochet daughter to appear in Chile court after dropping US asylum bid

[JURIST] A bail hearing for Lucia Hiriart, daughter of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet [BBC profile, JURIST archive] is set for Monday in Santiago Monday following Hiriat's return to Chile [JURIST report] Saturday after she withdrew her request for asylum in the United States. She fled last week after being indicted on tax evasion charges [JURIST report]. Hiriat was told that it could take months to process her request, during which time she would remain in an Arlington, Virginia jail as a common illegal immigrant, a status to which she was reduced because of the international arrest warrant out against her. Hiriat said of her time in US custody "It was a nightmare… I had to wear a prison uniform and handcuffs when I appeared before the (U.S.) judge." Rodrigo García, Hiriat's son, was quoted in press reports as saying "She couldn't stand another day." Bail has been set for 3 million Chilean pesos (roughly $6,000). The Santiago Times has more. La Nacion has additional coverage [in Spanish].