A mass trial involving 486 alleged members of the MS-13 gang has begun in El Salvador, according to the country’s attorney general’s office — the group is collectively accused of committing more than 47,000 crimes, including murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling, between 2012 and 2022.

Alleged Involvement in 2022 Gang Violence

Among those on trial are individuals allegedly involved in a wave of gang violence in March 2022, during which 87 people were killed in one weekend. This event led President Nayib Bukele to declare a ‘war on gangs,’ according to the attorney general’s office.

The attorney general’s office stated that it has ‘compelling’ evidence to support the charges and that maximum penalties could be imposed on those found guilty. The office did not specify the duration of the trial but noted that 413 suspects are already in custody, while arrest warrants have been issued for 73 others who are being prosecuted in absentia.

Controversial State of Emergency

A controversial state of emergency. Which expanded powers to arrest individuals suspected of gang affiliation or support and suspended some constitutional rights, has been in place in El Salvador since March 2022. Since its implementation. Tens of thousands of suspected gang members have been arrested, but human rights groups have argued that it has resulted in arbitrary detentions.

Supporters of President Bukele’s hardline approach to crime reduction argue that it has made El Salvador a safer place, and However, United Nations experts have warned that the government ‘cannot trample on fair trial rights in the name of public safety.’

United Nations experts have also criticized the use of mass trials, stating that they ‘undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees.’

MS-13’s History and Impact

MS-13 is a transnational gang that was designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. last year. It was founded in Los Angeles during the 1980s by immigrants who had fled El Salvador’s civil war. However, its presence is now more prominent in Central America.

The attorney general’s office said that for years, MS-13 has operated systematically, instilling fear and grief in Salvadoran families. The charges against the 486 suspects include femicide, disappearances, and ‘rebellion for attempting to maintain territorial control to establish a parallel state.’

The office added that these crimes have had a significant impact on the lives of Salvadorans and have limited the country’s economic and social development. The attorney general’s office emphasized that the trial aims to hold those responsible accountable for these alleged actions.

MS-13’s activities have been a major concern for El Salvador’s government, prompting a series of legal and security measures to combat the gang’s influence. The ongoing trial is one of the largest legal actions taken against the gang to date.