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Salvadoran officers indicted over 1989 Jesuit killings Spain indicts Salvadoran soldiers for Jesuit killings
(about 9 hours later)
A judge in Spain has ordered the arrest of 20 military officers from El Salvador for the 1989 killing of six Jesuit priests and two women. A Spanish judge has charged 20 Salvadoran soldiers with the killing of six Jesuit priests and two women during El Salvador's civil war.
The priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were shot dead by soldiers during El Salvador's civil war. The priests, five of whom were Spanish, their housekeeper and her daughter were shot dead by soldiers in 1989.
The case was filed using Spain's universal jurisdiction law, which holds that some crimes are so grave that they can be tried anywhere.The case was filed using Spain's universal jurisdiction law, which holds that some crimes are so grave that they can be tried anywhere.
Among those indicted are two former defence ministers.Among those indicted are two former defence ministers.
Col Rene Emilio Ponce was the Head of the Salvadoran Armed Forces' joint chiefs of staff at the time of the killings and later was promoted to general and became the country's defence minister. Col Rene Emilio Ponce was the head of the Salvadoran Armed Forces' joint chiefs of staff at the time of the killings. He was later promoted to general and became the country's defence minister.
According to a report by a United Nations Truth Commission, Gen Ponce, who died earlier this month, ordered the killing of the priests.According to a report by a United Nations Truth Commission, Gen Ponce, who died earlier this month, ordered the killing of the priests.
Gen Rafael Humberto Larios was the minister of defence at the time of the shooting and was present at the meeting where Col Ponce ordered the killing, the commission says.Gen Rafael Humberto Larios was the minister of defence at the time of the shooting and was present at the meeting where Col Ponce ordered the killing, the commission says.
Eighteen more members of the Salvadoran armed forces have been indicted on charges of crimes against humanity and terrorist killings.Eighteen more members of the Salvadoran armed forces have been indicted on charges of crimes against humanity and terrorist killings.
Universal jurisdictionUniversal jurisdiction
The judge said the priests, five of whom were Spanish, had been targeted because they had pushed for negotiations between the government and left-wing rebels. The judge said the priests had been targeted because they had pushed for negotiations between the government and left-wing rebels.
They worked at the Central American University.They worked at the Central American University.
The security forces suspected them of sympathising with left-wing rebels of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN).The security forces suspected them of sympathising with left-wing rebels of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN).
Judge Eloy Velasco said the men had taken the lead in pressing for negotiations between the right-wing government and the left-wing rebels.Judge Eloy Velasco said the men had taken the lead in pressing for negotiations between the right-wing government and the left-wing rebels.
"That was the fundamental motive for the killing," the judge said."That was the fundamental motive for the killing," the judge said.
Around 70,000 people were killed during the 12-year civil war before a 1992 United Nations-brokered agreement brought peace to the country.Around 70,000 people were killed during the 12-year civil war before a 1992 United Nations-brokered agreement brought peace to the country.
Two officers were convicted of the shooting of the priests and the two women in 1991, but both were freed two years later as part of an amnesty law agreed under the peace treaty.Two officers were convicted of the shooting of the priests and the two women in 1991, but both were freed two years later as part of an amnesty law agreed under the peace treaty.
Judge Velasco has ordered the arrest of the men within 10 days, but trials under the universal jurisdiction law have been rare. Judge Velasco has issued international warrants to Spanish police and Interpol, ordering that the accused appear before the Spanish courts within 10 days.
However, trials under the universal jurisdiction law have been rare.
El Salvador's civil war, which raged in the 1980s. left more than 70,000 people dead. Peace was formally brokered in 1992.