[JURIST] The late former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet [JURIST news archive; BBC profile] is under investigation for possibly ordering the murder of former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Montalva [EB profile] in 1982. Although Pinochet died of a heart attack [JURIST report] in December, an investigation is underway to determine whether he directed state officials to poison Montalva with mustard gas. Montalva, who served as president of Chile from 1964 to 1970, was a vocal critic of Pinochet and the policies of his 1973-1990 military regime.

An investigation into Montalva's death was initiated in January, when his body was exhumed and traces of mustard gas were found. Montalva's son, Chilean Senate President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle [official website, in Spanish] has asked investigating magistrate Alejandro Madrid to rule his father's death a homicide. According to a lawyer for the Montalva family, there is presently enough evidence to determine that Montalva did not die of natural causes. Bloomberg has more.