Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet underwent an independent medical examination today to determine his fitness to stand trial in Spain on charges of human rights abuses. The tests were expected to take most of the day. Pinochet’s supporters have long said his health is too poor to withstand the rigors of a trial. The medical exam was requested by the Chilean government and accepted by the British Home Secretary, who ultimately must decide whether to extradite Pinochet to Spain or allow him to return home. Human Rights Watch said today that determining the state of Pinochet’s health is very important because “all criminal defendants must be able to participate in their own defense.”