The History Podcast - The Arrest: 5. The Arrest

Augusto Pinochet is woken by his nurse around midnight and a few minutes later finds a handful of British police officers at the foot of his bed, with an international warrant for his arrest.

The dictator is furious, as are his supporters, but among his victims and their families there is joy and relief.

His arrest is unprecedented and is hailed by human rights campaigners as a landmark moment - a "wake-up call to tyrants around the world" - but will the general actually face justice?

The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands.
The series producer is Simon Tulett.
Sound design and mixing is by Tom Brignell.
The production co-ordinators are Helena Warwick-Cross and Tammy Snow.
The editor is Matt Willis.

Philippe Sands is the author of '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

Published on Friday, 5th December 2025.

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