But the principle was still as strong as ever. Gen Pinochet could not claim absolute immunity. This time by a majority of six to one, the law lords said that a former head of state could not get away with committing an international crime. And torture was an international crime wherever it may have occurred. The word has gone round.
Former dictators living in safe havens now travel abroad at their peril.
Gen Pinochet may have escaped extradition but even former heads of state accused of the most serious crimes will now be called to account.