Paris - An elderly French general said yesterday that the orders he issued to torture and kill prisoners during the Algerian independence war were justifiable acts of duty, committed "without pleasure".
Gen Paul Aussaresses (83), a former intelligence chief, is charged with "complicity in justifying war crimes" following the publication of his memoirs in which he admitted ordering such torture. "My actions appeared justified," Gen Aussaresses testified. "I did this work without pleasure, without pleasure."