[JURIST] A Chilean judge Monday ordered the arrest of 98 people suspected of covering up over 100 kidnappings and murders during the 1973-1990 rule of former military dictator Augusto Pinochet [BBC profile; JURIST news archive]. The court's investigation is focused on the regime's program of torturing and "disappearing" political dissidents, and those arrested include former members of the country's National Intelligence Directorate (DINA) [FAS backgrounder], as well as civilians. The Guardian has more. CNN has additional coverage.

Monday's court order comes following a number of other prosecutions [JURIST news archive] of Pinochet-era officials in recent years. Pinochet died two years ago, and a court later found that his family members could not be held responsible for funds allegedly embezzled [JURIST reports] by the dictator.