MASCP
Madison Arcatao Sister City Project
US - El Salvador Sister Cities

The Cojutepeque court has rejected the appeal that Government prosecutors filed on February 27th asking to re-open the trial against the Suchitoto 13 for public disorder and aggravated damages.

The 13 defendants, who had been granted "Definitive Liberty" by the Suchitoto Court on February 19th, are now free from further processing under the law.

The Judges' decision argues that the prosecution's appeal is inconsistent with Salvadoran law and confirms the decision made on February 19th in favor of definitive liberty for the Suchitoto 13.

Although this is a clear victory for human rights and the Salvadoran social movement, the Judges' decision does not extend to the 14th political prisoner from Suchitoto, Facundo Dolores Garcia. Dolores Garcia was arrested with the other 13 political prisoners on July 2nd and was granted provisional liberty on July 7th. Now, while the other 13 have been granted definitive liberty, it seems that Dolores Garcia will still be on probation.

Lorena Martinez, President of the CRIPDES said today that "the Judges rejection of the appeal reinforces the fact that the Government's effort to suppress and intimidate freedom of expression is an illegal interpretation of Salvadoran law. This decision is a victory for human rights and the Salvadoran Civil Society. Still, we must work until the last of the 14 political prisoners is freed."