Santiago, Dec 22 (IANS/EFE) A Chilean judge has sentenced a retired general to 18 years behind bars for ordering the 1973 execution of two bodyguards of president Salvador Allende, authorities said on Tuesday.
Gen. Luis Ramirez Pineda (retd) was convicted for the murders of Wagner Salinas Munoz and Francisco Lara Ruiz.
Ramirez Pineda was the commander of the army's Tacna regiment, to which -- after the bombardment and assault on the presidential palace during the September 11, 1973, military coup -- were brought numerous captured advisors of Allende and other officials.
Salinas Munoz and Lara Ruiz belonged to the president's security team, but on the day of the coup, they were in the city of Talca for work reasons.
Upon learning of the unfolding events of that day, they immediately returned to Santiago, but they were arrested on the highway by police and handed over to the army, and eventually delivered to the Tacna regiment.
During investigation, it was established that Ramirez Pineda personally ordered Capt. Luis Guillermo Mena to execute Salinas Munoz and Lara Ruiz.
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--IANS/EFE
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