Chilean woman accused of Pinochet-era kidnaps loses Australia extradition battle

Adriana Rivas, a 72-year-old Chilean woman living in Australia, has lost her legal battle against extradition to Chile, where she is accused of kidnapping and torturing dissidents during the Pinochet regime (1973-1990). Rivas emigrated to Australia in 1978 and Chile requested her extradition 12 years ago, alleging her involvement in the disappearance of seven people in 1976, including a pregnant 29-year-old and the secretary-general of Chile's Communist Party. A federal judge dismissed her lawyers' arguments against the extradition request, but Rivas may appeal. Rivas was allegedly an agent for DINA, Pinochet's secret police, and has denied wrongdoing despite describing her time with the agency positively. If no appeal is made, she will be sent to Chile to stand trial on charges of aggravated kidnapping.

Adriana Elcira Rivas, a former nanny and cleaner in Sydney, will be extradited to Chile to face court over allegations of aggravated kidnapping. Rivas is accused by Chile of participating in the disappearances of seven people in 1976, during Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship. The accusations allege that Rivas worked for Pinochet's secret police force at the time of the disappearances. Rivas, now in her 70s, has been fighting extradition from Australia for seven years. The extradition follows the rejection of her appeals to remain in Australia.