El Salvador seeks life imprisonment for 564 criminal leaders

The Salvadoran Public Prosecutor's Office has requested life sentences for 564 alleged leaders of the Barrio 18 gang, linked to over 14,400 crimes. This case will proceed under mass trial procedures in a San Salvador court, involving crimes committed between 2012 and 2026. The government, led by President Nayib Bukele, has enacted legal reforms allowing mass trials under a state of emergency since March 2022. Critics argue these collective trials hinder fair defense access. The accused face serious charges, including rebellion and homicide. The judiciary identified them as key figures managing the gang's operations. Previously, over 400 MS13 leaders were tried in a similar mass hearing for 47,000 crimes, with sentencing still pending.