Brutal amnesties

Given the West’s insistence that Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi face exile and war crimes prosecutions, here’s a quick look at some other toppled dictators (list compiled by Mark Bowery):

• Augusto Pinochet, Chile. In power 1973-1990: after a military coup, backed by US president Richard Nixon, Pinochet oversaw the deaths of over 3,000 people, and the torture of 30,000. After losing power: Pinochet remained commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Arrested in the UK in 1998, Pinochet was never prosecuted for his war crimes. (The British government refused to extradite him to stand trial in Spain.) He died in 2006. No exile, no trial.
• Ferdinand Marcos, Philippines. In power 1966-1986: following victory in a corrupt election in 1978, Marcos imposed martial law to quash protests and murdered opposition leader Benigno Aquino. After losing power because of mass demonstrations: Marcos was granted refuge in the US (Hawaii) by US president Ronald Reagan. He died in 1989. Exile, no trial.
• Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Iran. In power 1941-1979: after a military coup in 1953, the Shah used his intelligence organisation, SAVAK, renowned for its use of torture, to suppress opposition parties and leaders, killing thousands. After losing power: the Shah lived in exile, visiting the United States for cancer treatment in 1979. He died in 1980. He was never prosecuted for war crimes. Exile, no trial.
• Jose Efrain Rios Montt, Guatemala. In power 1982-1983: with substantial assistance from the US, Rios Montt led a brutal campaign killing 70,000 Mayan peasants and political opponents. After losing power: Rios Montt continued living in Guatemala, becoming a congressperson and making two failed attempts to run for president. He has never been prosecuted, though in 2001 charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes were laid against him in local courts. No exile, no trial.
• Raoul Cedras, Haiti. In power 1991-1994: Cedras was lieutenant general in the US-backed coup against president Jean-Baptiste Aristide. During his time as de facto leader, Cedras is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 civilians. After losing power: Cedras was advised by US president Bill Clinton to leave Haiti after his government collapsed, and now lives in Panama. Exile, no trial.
• Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Nicaragua. In power 1967-1979: Somoza was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 50,000 people. After losing power: Somoza initially fled to Miami, but entry was refused by US president Jimmy Carter and Somoza moved to Paraguay where he was assassinated in 1980. Exile, no trial.

  In short: Britain and the US have offered amnesty, even sanctuary, to dictators in the past.