The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Santiago

The widow and five children of late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet were arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation into allegations he stole $27 million of public funds and hid it in foreign banks.

Judge Carlos Cerda also ordered the arrest of a further 17 people including retired military officers from the Pinochet era, friends, associates and the former leader's personal secretary, court officials said.

"There are more than 200,000 pages (of court documents). It's been closely investigated," Cerda told reporters.

The center-left government described the arrests as a strictly judicial decision.

"The courts have ordered the arrests," Interior Minister Felipe Harboe said. "The government has no further comment"

Pinochet, who ruled Chile from 1973-1990, died in December last year at age 91 without ever being brought to trial to face embezzlement and human rights charges.

He left behind a widow, Lucia Hiriart, now 84, and five children: Augusto, Lucia, Marco Antonio, Jaqueline and Veronica. The year before he died Pinochet was charged with tax evasion linked to the estimated $27 million.