Santiago, Chile ? Chile’s Supreme Court stripped Gen. Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution Thursday in a ruling that revived hopes of his foes that he might stand trial on charges of human rights abuses during his rule.

The 9-8 vote by the high court opened a new legal front against the 88-year-old general, who also faces increased scrutiny after recent revelations he holds multimillion-dollar accounts in the United States.

Pinochet had enjoyed immunity from prosecution as a former president.

The decision upholds a May 28 ruling by the Santiago Appeals Court to lift that immunity in a human rights case involving “Operation Condor” — a crackdown on opponents by South American military dictatorships in the 1970s and ’80s. At least 19 Chileans died during the mid-1970s as part of the plan, lawyers contend.

Although Pinochet has never been indicted in connection with “Operation Condor,” government spokesman Francisco Vidal indicated that the ruling cleared the way for a possible investigation.

“Nobody is above the law,” Vidal said.

A group of about 100 Pinochet opponents cheered when the court’s decision was announced in Santiago, where they had kept up a courthouse vigil beside police barricades this week.

Human rights lawyer Eduardo Contreras lauded the decision as giving a new push to prosecuting Chile’s one all-powerful dictator.

“This shows there are no untouchables,” he added.

Lorena Pizarro, who heads an association for relatives of victims of Pinochet’s dictatorship, said prosecutors must move quickly.

“Pinochet has to be tried” she said. “He must pay for all the crimes for which he is responsible.”

Luis Fuenzalida, a relative of dissidents who disappeared during Gen. Augusto Pinochet's rule reacts in front of the Supre Court building in Santiago, Chile. The Supreme Court stripped Pinochet of immunity from prosecution Thursday, paving the way for a possible trial on charges of human rights abuses.