Adriana Rivas, a 72-year-old Chilean woman suspected of having kidnapped and tortured dissidents during the military rule of Gen Augusto Pinochet, has lost her lengthy legal battle against extradition from Australia.
Rivas moved to Australia in 1978, where she worked as a nanny and a cleaner in Sydney's Bondi suburb.
Chile requested her extradition 12 years ago, alleging her involvement in the disappearance of seven people, which she denies.
During the Pinochet era (1973-1990), more than 40,000 people were persecuted, and around 3,000 were killed.
Rivas was first arrested during a visit to her home country in 2006 but returned to Australia while on bail.
After Chile filed an extradition request in 2014, a federal judge recently dismissed her lawyers' arguments, deeming them legally flawed.
Lawyers for the victims' families expressed delight at the ruling, which could lead to Rivas being sent back to Chile to face charges of aggravated kidnapping.
In the past, Rivas served as a personal secretary to Manuel Contreras, Pinochet's secret police chief, and rights activists allege her direct involvement in torture and kidnappings.
She is accused of participating in the 1976 forced disappearance of Víctor Díaz and other Communist Party members.
Rivas, who described her years at the Dina as the best of my life, could still appeal the judge's decision, though it is uncertain if grounds for appeal exist.
