Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado said on Thursday (16) that there are approximately 42,000 detainees in El Salvador in the context of the “war” against gangs declared by President Nayib Bukele about three months ago.
“The last count at dawn [de quinta-feira] It already reflected the detention of roughly 41,846 people”, Delgado explained to local television’s Channel 10.
Out of the total number of alleged gang members arrested, the Public Ministry was able to “temporarily detain” 33,258 for a period of six months.
Delgado said that 8,588 people have not yet started the trial, while 456 people were freed at the first hearing because they were “not affiliated with gangs”.
After the first six months of an alleged gang member’s detention, the Public Department may request an “extension” of the prison term for another six months, depending on the “complexity” of the cases.
“We believe that staying in detention for at least one year will allow us to complete the process against these people,” the prosecutor said.
According to Delgado, “evidence” is among the “evidence” used to show the detainee’s affiliation with the criminal organisation. [tatuagens de suas respectivas gangues] have in their bodies” and seized drugs.
In addition to firearms seized in police raids or clashes with security forces, 1,015 vehicles “obtained from activities such as extortion” are used as evidence.
According to the latest balance sheet of the Ministry of Justice and Security, $1.5 million in gang money, 821 firearms and 8,994 mobile phones were also seized.
The killing of 87 people in crimes attributable to gangs between March 25-27 led Congress to enact an emergency regime at Bukele’s request that was extended at least until the end of June. Attorney Delgado expects this to spread again.
Under an exceptional regime, authorities can make arrests without a court order. The parliament, controlled by the president’s allies, has also increased the penalties for gang-related crimes.
Mainly Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs operate in El Salvador. Before these actions of the government, about 16,000 members were already in prison.
However, with the arrests in the last three months, 57,846 members, 83% of the 70,000 members these gangs will have in the country, would be behind bars.
source: Noticias
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