Chile Opens Inquiry Into Salvadore Allende's Death

Inquiry will examine whether Pinochet's troops killed him in '73 coup
By Damon Albarn,  Newser User
Posted Jan 27, 2011 1:35 PM CST Posted Jan 27, 2011 1:35 PM CST
Promoted on Newser Jan 27, 2011 2:38 PM CST
Enquiry into 1973 Death of Salvador Allende
A demonstrator holds up a picture of late Chilean President Salvador Allende during a protest outside La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008.   (AP)

Authorities in Chile are launching an investigation into the death of former President Salvador Allende in 1973. His body was found in the presidential palace after it was stormed by the forces of Augusto Pinochet, who launched the military coup that toppled the socialist Allende. The investigation will try to determine whether Allende committed suicide or was killed by Pinochet's troops, reports the BBC. An official autopsy concluded that Allende killed himself with a rifle given to him by none other than Fidel Castro, but this account is questioned by supporters. Click for more. (More Chile stories.)

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