EXTERNAL

AI Index: AMR 22/06/90

Distrib : PG/SC

Date: 1 August 1990

FURTHER INFORMATION ON MEDICAL LETTER-WRITING ACTION

(See AMR 22/01/90 - 16 March 1990)

Gustavo Villalobos and Dr Ramiro Olivares

CHILE

Charges against Dr Ramiro Olivares and Gustavo Villalobos of the Vicaría de la Solidaridad (Vicariate of Solidarity) have now been revoked following a Supreme Court hearing in June 1990. The two were arrested in 1986 and charged with "assisting armed groups" after providing legal and medical aid to a man with a bullet wound who was later found to have been involved in an armed confrontation with police. They had provided assistance in their professional capacity as members of the Vicaría de la Solidaridad, the human rights body of the Catholic church in Chile of which Gustavo Villalobos is currently executive secretary.

Both had been released on bail, but a sentence of five years' imprisonment had been recommended at the end of the pre-trial investigation (sumario) into their case in November 1989. Gustavo Villalobos had spent six months in prison and Dr Olivares a year and a half; both were adopted as prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International.

The Supreme Court hearing took place after lawyers acting on their behalf brought a complaint (recurso de queja) against the military prosecutor responsible for their case. Voting on whether to pursue the charges against them was split equally; charges were then revoked as in the absence of a majority decision, court procedures favour the defendant.

No further action is required. Thank you for your past appeals and action.