A Sydney woman wanted in Chile over the alleged kidnapping of seven people during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet is seeking bail in Australia.
Adriana Rivas was arrested by NSW Police in February and remains in custody following a request from Chile for her extradition.
The 66-year-old at times appeared distressed on Tuesday when she faced Central Local Court via video link for a bail hearing, which was cut short when her lawyer opted to delay her application.
Frank Santisi told the packed courtroom his client had health issues such as depression, a bladder issue, osteoporosis and a long-standing kidney problem.
"One of her kidneys, as a result of a parachute exercise, dropped," Mr Santisi said.
The lawyer said Rivas hadn't offended in Australia and denied committing any crime in Chile.
Mr Santisi ultimately opted not to proceed on Tuesday as he wanted to present further material in support of the bail application.
Members of the Chilean Australian community from the National Campaign for Truth and Justice in Chile at Central Local Court in Sydney. Source: AAP
Barrister Trent Glover, acting for the Republic of Chile, told the court that ordinarily in extradition matters where health was relied on as a special circumstance, magistrates would receive reports outlining why the person's health would seriously deteriorate in custody.
He said material provided by prison health authorities demonstrated the conditions Rivas mentioned in an affidavit - "without any supporting medical evidence" - could be managed in custody.
Rivas' bail application is now expected to be heard in May.
Pilar Aguilera, from the Australian chapter of the National Campaign for Truth and Justice in Chile, told reporters it was hard to feel sympathy for Rivas' health issues and "very hard to see her, as well, on the screen".
"I think some of the people here present today are themselves victims of torture or have family members who were disappeared, so it's very difficult," she said outside the court.
