Mass trial for 486 alleged gang members begins in El Salvador
A mass trial of 486 suspected MS-13 gang members has begun in El Salvador, the country's attorney general's office has confirmed.
The accused are collectively charged with committing more than 47,000 crimes, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking, spanning from 2012 to 2022.
Footage released by the attorney general's office shows large groups of men attending the trial via video link from prison.
The office stated it has "compelling" evidence to seek maximum penalties for those found guilty.
No casualties or disruptions have been reported during the trial proceedings.
The trial is part of El Salvador's intensified efforts to combat gang-related crime, which has drawn both domestic support and international criticism.
United Nations experts have criticized the use of mass trials, stating they "undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees." Despite these concerns, Salvadoran authorities argue that the scale of gang violence necessitates such measures.
This trial is significant due to its unprecedented scale and the large number of crimes involved, highlighting the government's hardline stance against gangs.
It also raises questions about the balance between security and legal fairness in the country's justice system.
