Rome, 13 Sept. (LaPresse) – A total of 284 people were arrested in Chile during protests held to mark the 53rd anniversary of the 1973 coup, according to government reports following the demonstrations on 11 September and the previous day. Among those arrested were 31 minors and 16 foreign nationals, according to the Minister for Public Security, Martín Arrau. The demonstrations brought together thousands of people across the country to commemorate the victims of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile between 1973 and 1990. The government reported 198 incidents of violence during the days of commemoration. This figure represents a 34 per cent reduction compared with the incidents recorded in 2015. Conversely, the number of people arrested rose by 80 per cent compared with the previous year, reaching 284. Clashes occurred mainly between groups of demonstrators and the Chilean police. In some instances, stones and sticks were thrown at officers, who then used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.
Chile: over 280 arrests during protests against the Pinochet dictatorship
Rome, 13 Sept. (LaPresse) – A total of 284 people were arrested in Chile during protests held to mark the 53rd anniversary of the 1973 coup, according to government reports following the demonstrations on 11 September and the previous day. Among those arrested were 31 minors and 16 foreign nationals, according to the Minister for Public Security, Martín Arrau. The demonstrations brought together thousands of people across the country to commemorate the victims of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile between 1973 and 1990. The government reported 198 incidents of violence during the days of commemoration. This figure represents a 34 per cent reduction compared with the incidents recorded in 2015. Conversely, the number of people arrested rose by 80 per cent compared with the previous year, reaching 284. Clashes occurred mainly between groups of demonstrators and the Chilean police. In some instances, stones and sticks were thrown at officers, who then used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.