Mass trial for 486 alleged gang members begins in El Salvador
Footage released by the attorney general's office shows large groups of men in prison attending the trial via video link.
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Notable Quotes
"These mass trials lack basic guarantees of due process and thus they increase the risk of convicting innocent people who have nothing to do with the gangs that have terrorized the country for decades."
— Juan Pappier , Activist
"For years, this structure has operated systematically, causing fear and mourning among Salvadoran families."
— Rodolfo Delgado , Executive
"Mass trials raise serious questions about compliance with due process guarantees, including the right to an individualized defense, the presumption of innocence and access to adequate legal representation."
— Irene Cuéllar , Activist
"These mass trials lack basic guarantees of due process and thus they increase the risk of convicting innocent people who have nothing to do with the gangs that have terrorized the country for decades."
— Juan Pappier , Activist
"For years, this structure has operated systematically, causing fear and mourning among Salvadoran families."
— Rodolfo Delgado , Executive
"We are going to put them on trial, and we are going to settle a historic debt."
— Nayib Bukele , Politician
Key People
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Irene Cuéllar is a researcher for Central America at Amnesty International.
Juan Pappier is the Americas deputy director for Human Rights Watch.
Mauricio Funes was the President of El Salvador from 2009 to 2014.
Nayib Bukele is the President of El Salvador.
Rodolfo Delgado is the Attorney General of El Salvador.
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All Coverage
Footage released by the attorney general's office shows large groups of men in prison attending the trial via video link.
A Salvadoran court began a collective trial of 486 alleged MS-13 gang members, accused of over 47,000 crimes committed between 2012 and 2022, including homicide, extortion, and arms trafficking. Human rights groups have raised concerns about due process violations in these mass trials.
A Salvadoran court began a collective trial of 486 alleged MS-13 gang members, accused of more than 47,000 crimes committed between 2012 and 2022, including homicide, femicide, extortion, and arms trafficking. Human rights groups have warned that such mass trials violate due process rights.
Prosecutors in El Salvador opened a massive consolidated trial against nearly 500 alleged members of the MS-13 gang accused of tens of thousands of crimes, including homicide, extortion, and arms trafficking. Human rights groups have criticized the mass trials for infringing on defendants' rights.
Nearly 490 alleged members of the MS-13 gang, including several alleged leaders, went on trial collectively in El Salvador, accused of thousands of murders. The mass trials are part of President Nayib Bukele's anti-gang crackdown, which has faced criticism for human rights concerns.
A Salvadoran court began a collective trial of 486 alleged MS-13 gang members, accused of over 47,000 crimes committed between 2012 and 2022, including homicide, femicide, extortion, and arms trafficking. Human rights groups have raised concerns about due process violations in these mass trials.
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