The Arrest: 2. The Disappeared

The Arrest: 2. The Disappeared

From The History Podcast by BBC Radio 4

December 2, 2025 · 15 min · Season 12 · Episode 2

About this episode

The episode discusses the disappearance and murder of diplomat Carmelo Soria during Pinochet's regime in Chile and the subsequent legal efforts to hold the dictator accountable.

When diplomat Carmelo Soria doesn't come home from work in July 1976 his wife, Laura, fears the worst. Augusto Pinochet has been in power in Chile for almost three years and the disappearances of his political opponents have become hard to ignore. The Spaniard's body is found, floating in a Santiago canal, two days later. The police say he'd had a car accident, but his widow is convinced he'd been kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. When, 20 years later, she meets a Spanish lawyer building a complaint against Pinochet, the legal case against the former dictator finds a powerful weapon. 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'.

People in this episode

Host: Philippe Sands

Topics covered

  • diplomacy
  • human rights
  • political disappearances
  • Chile
  • Pinochet
  • legal cases

Keywords

  • Carmelo Soria
  • Augusto Pinochet
  • Chile
  • disappearances
  • human rights
  • legal case
  • Philippe Sands

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: 38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia

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