Sebastián Piñera testified for more than 10 hours on April 11. He is being investigated for alleged crimes against humanity during the social uprising in 2019. Former officials from the Ministry of Interior and Public Safety and ex-commanders of the police are also being investigated.
On April 11, former President Sebastián Piñera testified at his office in Vitacura under examination by prosecutor Ximena Chong, who is leading an investigation as to whether Piñera and others committed crimes against humanity during the social uprising in 2019. The examination started shortly before 3 p.m. and lasted more than 10 hours. Piñera was accompanied by his three lawyers.
The investigation stems from complaints filed against Piñera and his administration by former senator Alejandro Navarro and others in November 2019.
Chong said the former president waived his “right to remain silent” and was not reluctant to answer any of the questions she put forward, according to CNN Chile.
The North Central District Attorney’s office is investigating two crimes, Chong said. The first relates to alleged crimes against humanity and the second relates to police commanders’ responsibility for homicides, but Chong said Piñera is not being investigated directly for the second crime.
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Some of the alleged crimes against humanity that are brought against Piñera and his administration include homicides, unlawful detentions, excessive use of force, and causing eye trauma.
Piñera is among several former officials from his administration being investigated for crimes against humanity during the 2019 social uprising. The list includes former officials from the Ministry of Interior and Public Safety, Andrés Chadwick, Gonzalo Blumel, Juan Francisco Galli, and Rodrigo Ubillawere.
Piñera’s examination continued on April 12.
Chongyang Zhang is pursuing an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program in journalism, media and globalisation. His interest lies in the relations among the United States, Latin America and China. He is currently doing an exchange semester at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.