El Salvador Prosecutes 486 MS-13 Leaders for 47,000 Crimes in March 2022 Violence Crackdown
A mass trial has commenced in El Salvador, targeting 486 individuals identified as leaders within the transnational MS-13 gang. The attorney general's office has brought charges encompassing over 47,000 crimes, including murder, extortion, and drug and arms trafficking, allegedly perpetrated between 2012 and 2022.
Among the accused are those implicated in the wave of gang violence in March 2022, when 87 people were killed in a single weekend. This spate of killings prompted President Nayib Bukele to declare a 'war on gangs', initiating a controversial state of emergency that remains in effect.
The attorney general's office stated it possesses 'compelling' evidence, seeking 'maximum penalties' for those convicted. The charges also include femicide and disappearances, with officials asserting these actions have 'instilled fear and grief in Salvadoran families' and hampered the nation's economic and social development. Additionally, the suspects face charges of 'rebellion for attempting to maintain territorial control to establish a parallel state'.
While 413 suspects are currently detained, arrest warrants have been issued for 73 others, who are being prosecuted in absentia. The National Civil Police claims extensive research and monitoring efforts enabled the identification and documentation of these criminal activities.
Since March 2022, El Salvador's state of emergency has expanded state powers, leading to tens of thousands of arrests based on suspected gang affiliation. However, human rights organisations have consistently documented concerns regarding arbitrary detentions and the suspension of constitutional rights under these measures, which have also facilitated mass trials.
