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Bukele's critic detained on accusations of illegal money transactions

Government of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele's critic, attorney Anaya Barraza, apprehended by San Salvador police today on accusations of illicit financial transactions, as declared by the Prosecutor General's Office (PGR) of the nation.

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Government-critic lawyer Anaya Barraza, a vocal opponent of President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador,...
Government-critic lawyer Anaya Barraza, a vocal opponent of President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, was taken into custody today by San Salvador police under allegations of money laundering, as declared by the Attorney General's Office of the nation.

Bukele's critic detained on accusations of illegal money transactions

Breaking News:

Salvador Enrique Anaya Barraza, Critic of President Bukele, Arrested on Suspicion of Money Laundering

The Attorney General's Office announced the arrest of lawyer and constitutionalist, Salvador Enrique Anaya Barraza, on charges of money laundering and asset laundering. Sources close to the situation claim the operation took place at his residence, with videos from Elements magazine indicating participation by uniformed and plainclothes agents and prosecutors.

A vocal critic of the government, Anaya Barraza frequently expresses his views on legal matters on social media platforms. Recently, he called out perceived irregularities in the criminal process against anti-corruption lawyer Ruth López, who was arrested on May 18. He accused the Bukele administration of employing questionable tactics to stifle critics.

His latest post on X network decries the growing international scrutiny of the Bukele government, mentioning the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights' (IACHR) recent concern over the "recent arrests of human rights defenders." The IACHR highlighted the arrest of Ruth López alongside other defenders, including evangelical pastor José Ángel Pérez, community leader Fidel Zavala, and Alejandro Henríquez, an environmental lawyer.

The IACHR also expressed worry that criminal processes may serve as retaliation for the defenders' work with people in detention during the state of emergency and their denunciations of prison abuses.

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In a concerning development, several prominent human rights defenders in El Salvador have faced arrest, targeting, or detention, sparking international criticism. Ruth López, the head of the Anti-Corruption Unit at Cristosal, was one such individual, arrested on May 18 without formal charges or clear details. Fidel Zavala, another prominent defender, has also been detained.

International organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the IACHR have expressed concern over the lack of due process, potential political motivations, and broader crackdowns on dissent in El Salvador. These actions have led to widespread calls for the Salvadoran government to respect human rights and cease its persecution of civil society.

Enrichment Data:- The recent arrests and targeting of prominent human rights defenders in El Salvador have garnered international concern.- Notable defenders affected include Ruth López, whose arrest occurred on May 18 without formal charges. The cases of Fidel Zavala, Ivania Cruz, and Rudy Joya are also highlighted due to their alleged targeting by the government.- International organizations have expressed concerns over the lack of due process, potential political motivations behind the arrests, and broader crackdowns on dissent in El Salvador, undermining freedom of expression and association.

  1. The arrest of Salvador Anaya Barraza, a vocal critic of President Bukele, on money laundering charges has intensified the general news and crime-and-justice discussions, raising questions about politics and war-and-conflicts, especially in the context of the recent international scrutiny of Bukele's government due to alleged human rights abuses.
  2. The international community, including organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), have expressed concerns over the recent arrests and targeting of human rights defenders in El Salvador, such as Ruth López and Fidel Zavala, highlighting potential political motivations and broader crackdowns on dissent, which potentially undermines freedom of expression and association.

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