Probe Reopened in ’73 Murder of Chilean Singer

Posted on Jun 4, 2008

Memoria Popular

Jara was a strong supporter of former President Salvador Allende, who was ousted by a U.S.-backed coup in 1973.

The case of Victor Jara, the famous folk musician murdered by dictator Augusto Pinochet’s army in 1973, will be reopened due to new evidence provided by the musician’s family. Human rights groups see Jara’s case as important in keeping attention on Chilean human rights abusers who for the past 35 years have avoided jail time.

Jara’s family believes that, while one person has been convicted of the singer’s murder, the army is shielding many others who are also culpable in his death and the deaths of almost 3,200 people during the dictatorship in Chile.

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The BBC:

A judge in Chile has re-opened an investigation into the death of folk singer Victor Jara.

Judge Juan Eduardo Fuentes said he would examine 40 new pieces of evidence provided by the singer’s family.

Mr Jara was killed in 1973 at Santiago’s national stadium, in the early days of former military ruler Gen Augusto Pinochet’s government.

His widow, Joan Jara, said his murder had become an international symbol in the fight against human rights abuses.

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