El Salvador’s Bukele puts conditions on early release of gang prisoners
More than 90,000 suspected gang members have been arrested in the Central American country since the president declared a state of emergency in 2022.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has outlined conditions for releasing some prisoners detained in his anti-gang crackdown, clarifying that around 10,000 individuals who occasionally assisted criminal groups would be eligible for early release, not actual members. Bukele revealed the plan on Tuesday, stating that it would benefit roughly 50% of the 90,000 suspected gang members arrested since 2022 when he declared a state of emergency.
Out of the 10,000 or so people identified as occasional gang associates, around half could enter the Zero Idleness program, allowing them to be released sooner. Bukele emphasized that no gang member will be freed and expressed pride in the achievements of his policies, which have been praised by US President Donald Trump. He was accompanied by Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez at a press conference.
Bukele's administration has seen a significant decrease in crime rates, but rights groups have raised concerns about abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and deaths in custody. According to Amnesty International, hundreds of people have died while in custody.
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- El Salvador’s Bukele puts conditions on early release of gang prisoners freemalaysiatoday.com
