Youssoufi hails Pinochet's extradition decision

Moroccan Prime Minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, hailed Britain's decision to extradite Agusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, wanted in Spain on charges of torture and genocide, MAP reported.

"I naturally react as a human rights advocate. I have an additional satisfaction, because I was a member of the international investigation commission on the crimes perpetrated by the military junta in Chile, immediately after the putsch (of 1973 that overthrew President Salvador Allende)," Youssoufi told French LCI TV channel.

The Prime Minister added that his satisfaction over the decision to extradite the former strongman of Santiago is greater, "especially that I was witness to the testimonies of the victims of the coup d'etat."

Pinochet, 83, was arrested in London on October 16 on a warrant from Spain charging him with responsibility in the deaths or disappearances of more than 3,000 people during his 1973-1990 rule in Chile.

Britain's House of Lords-- the highest court in the land-- ruled last month that he did not enjoy immunity from prosecution.