Chile: Deputies affirm impeachment of interior minister

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Chile's House of Representatives has passed a motion to impeach the country's interior minister over his management of the recent anti-government protests.

Andres Chadwick is accused of illegally declaring a state of emergency when protests started on Oct. 18, as well as being responsible for numerous human rights violations committed by police during the protests, according to Caracas-based broadcaster TeleSur.

House lawmakers voted 70-79 for Chadwick's dismissal on Thursday, though the country's Senate will determine whether he will face political trial.

Chadwick's conduct has been under question since July, when he was accused by legislators of being responsible for the killing of a 24-year-old indigenous man -- Camilo Catrillanca -- by police.

However, President Sebastian Pinera has refused to remove Chadwick from office.

The protests, which began in response to a now-suspended 4% transport fare hike, turned violent on Oct. 19, with at least 23 people killed.

According to the National Institute of Human Rights, more than 6,000 people have been arrested and 2,400 others injured over the past month.

Chilean prosecutors opened a total of 2,670 criminal investigations on human rights violations committed by security forces during the protests on Tuesday.

The president accepted protesters' demands earlier this month to change the Constitution, which dates back to the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship.

Pinera also announced concessions to roll back the fare hike, raise the minimum wage and place a hold on electricity prices until next year in a bid to contain strife.