Judicial officials in Paris say prosecutors have requested that former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet be put on trial in France for the disappearance of five French citizens in the 1970s.
The officials said Friday judge Sophie Clement must now decide whether to grant the request. The Associated Press reports that a ruling is expected within weeks.
The officials say the investigation targets the former dictator for alleged kidnapping and torture of the French citizens by Chilean security forces, following the 1973 coup that brought General Pinochet to power.
Human rights groups have accused General Pinochet's regime of systematic violations of human rights during his rule, from 1973 to 1990.
British police arrested General Pinochet on a Spanish warrant in London in October 1998. But the former dictator fought Madrid's extradition request and was allowed to return home in 2000.
Information for this story provided by AP and AFP.