Augusto Pinochet, the 91-year old former dictator of Chili, died on December 10, thereby escaping trial. Under his regime from 1973 to 1990, approximately 3,500 people were killed and some 30,000 were tortured. Despite numerous attempts - nearly 350 cases were brought against him according to the French daily Liberation - the proceedings never resulted in a trial on the merits. The cases against him for assassination, torture and embezzlement have been embroiled in unending procedural battles since 1998. On his birthday on November 25, Pinochet, who was under house arrest, published a communiqué in which he accepted "political responsibility" for the acts committed under his authority. Twenty some members of the military junta are now behind bars in Chile, and approximately 400 more are being prosecuted.