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A Salvadoran court began the mass trial of 486 alleged MS-13 leaders, who are collectively accused of more than 47,000 crimes — including homicides, extortion, arms trafficking and forced disappearances — committed between 2012 and 2022.

A Salvadoran court began the mass trial of 486 alleged MS-13 leaders, who are collectively accused of more than 47,000 crimes — including homicides, extortion, arms trafficking and forced disappearances — committed between 2012 and 2022.

Prosecutors requested the maximum prison sentence for each charge, meaning a single defendant could face up to 245 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Evidence presented includes autopsies, ballistic analyses and witness testimony.

Prosecutors requested the maximum prison sentence for each charge, meaning a single defendant could face up to 245 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Evidence presented includes autopsies, ballistic analyses and witness testimony.

The trial stems in part from a wave of gang violence between March 25 and 27, 2022, in which 86 people were killed — the most violent weekend in post-war El Salvador — prompting President Nayib Bukele to declare a state of emergency.

The trial stems in part from a wave of gang violence between March 25 and 27, 2022, in which 86 people were killed — the most violent weekend in post-war El Salvador — prompting President Nayib Bukele to declare a state of emergency.

The state of emergency, in place since March 2022, has allowed security forces to detain more than 91,500 people. Humanitarian organizations estimate it has caused prison overcrowding of 238% and the deaths of 513 detainees in state custody.

The state of emergency, in place since March 2022, has allowed security forces to detain more than 91,500 people. Humanitarian organizations estimate it has caused prison overcrowding of 238% and the deaths of 513 detainees in state custody.

Most defendants are held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison opened in 2023. Human rights groups have described conditions there as inhumane, citing allegations of torture, round-the-clock surveillance and no access to legal counsel.

Most defendants are held at CECOT, a maximum-security prison opened in 2023. Human rights groups have described conditions there as inhumane, citing allegations of torture, round-the-clock surveillance and no access to legal counsel.

The mass trial format was established following a 2023 reform to El Salvador's penal code. United Nations experts have said such proceedings "undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees."

The mass trial format was established following a 2023 reform to El Salvador's penal code. United Nations experts have said such proceedings "undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees."

El Salvador Tries 486 MS-13 Leaders for 47,000 Crimes

El Salvador beginsTries mass486 trialMS-13 Leaders for 48647,000 alleged gang membersCrimes

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El Salvador Tries 486 MS-13 Leaders for 47,000 Crimes

El Salvador beginsTries mass486 trialMS-13 Leaders for 48647,000 alleged gang membersCrimes

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