Lawyers for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet launched a defense petition on Tuesday, effectively freezing a house arrest order against him.

The arrest warrant issued by Judge Juan Guzman on Monday will not be carried out until the Santiago Court of Appeals makes a ruling.

Guzman indicted Pinochet for involvement in nine kidnappings and a homicide and issued a house arrest order.

The charges were related to an investigation into Operation Condor, a conspiracy of military dictatorships in South America in the 1970s to get rid of opponents.

Pinochet's indictment, which may put the former strongman in the dock for the first time, was hailed by relatives of the victims under Pinochet's rule and human rights groups.

President Ricardo Lagos said the indictment shows that no one is above law and that democracy is well and alive in his country.

Eduardo Contreras, a prosecutor, expressed his confidence that the court will reject the petition by defense lawyers, adding that the court has "for twice canceled Pinochet's rights of immunity this year."

However, Pablo Rodriguez, head of the defense lawyers, accused Guzman of political prosecution and infringement of Pinochet's basic human rights.

Rodriguez claimed that the ailing former dictator is not physically fit to defend himself at court. He said he would appeal to the Supreme Court if the petition is turned down by the Santiago Court of Appeals.

In addition to the charges related to Operation Condor, Pinochet is facing several other charges.

On Dec. 2, the Santiago Court of Appeals removed Pinochet's immunity and appointed Judge Alejandro Solis to investigate his presumed involvement in the murder of ex-commander of the armed forces Carlos Prats and his wife Sofia in Argentina in 1974.

Judge Sergio Munoz declared on Nov. 19 to freeze and investigate Pinochet's secret money in a US bank, totaling 8 million US dollars.

Source: Xinhua