Chile: Pinochet soldiers sentenced for killing famous singer

Chile’s Supreme Court on Monday upheld the prison sentences of seven ex-soldiers for the 1973 murder of popular singer Victor Jara, the day after General Augusto Pinochet’s military coup.

Between the ages of 73 and 85 years free until this final sentencing, the seven ex-servicemen will serve their sentences between 8 and 25 years in prison. Victor Jara was a member of the Chilean Communist Party and a staunch supporter of President Salvador Allende, who came to power at the ballot box in 1970 and was overthrown in a CIA-backed military coup on September 11, 1973.

Tortured and riddled with bullets

His body was found days later, with 44 bullets. He was 40 years old then. The singer-songwriter and guitarist, along with around 5,000 political prisoners, were held at the Santiago Stadium that now bears his name, where he was interrogated, tortured and killed. His fingers were especially crushed.

An exhumation ordered in 2009 found the body of National Director of Prisons and Communist Party fighter Litre Quiroga, 33, with signs of torture next to Victor Jara and three other political prisoners. Then there was Victor Zara. The burial took place during an official ceremony that brought together thousands of Chileans, including then-President Michelle Bachelet.

Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

A peace singer who spoke of love and social protest, Victor Jara is an icon of Latin American popular music with songs like “The Right to Live in Peace.” He inspired musicians like U2 and Bob Dylan. During a concert in Santiago in 2013, Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to him.

Several documentaries have been made about Victor Jara’s death, including “Massack at the Stadium,” available on Netflix.

Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile until 1990 and died in 2006 after allegedly killing 3,200 leftist activists and other suspected dissidents for crimes committed by his regime.

(AFP/PM)