Treasury to pay millions in damages for 1986 murders

SANTIAGO.- The State Defense Council (CDE) has reached an agreement with plaintiffs establishing that the National Treasury will pay 780 million pesos in damages to the families of four men that were murdered in 1986 just hours after the assassination attempt on the presidential entourage, which killed five of Augusto Pinochet's body guards.

The murder victims were "Análisis" magazine editor, José Carrasco Tapia; electrician Felipe Rivera Gajardo; Professor Gastón Vidaurrázaga Manríquez and "Cono Sur" magazine sales manager, Abraham Muskatblit. All were killed between the 8th and 9th of September, 1986.

The parties agreed on the sum before the Minister of the Second Court of the nation's maximum tribunal, Nibaldo Segura Peña.

Of the total amount, $ 210 million pesos will be given to the relatives of José Carrasco Tapia; $ 270 million to the family of Abraham Muskablit Eidelstein; $90 million to the family of Felipe Rivera Gajardo, and $ 210 million will go to the relatives of Gastón Vidaurrága Manríquez.

The agreement implies that the plaintiffs must cease all civil court actions in relation to the case. The payment will be made once it is approved by the Ministry of Finance.