Lawyer faces illegal enrichment charges in retaliation for anti-corruption work
- Ruth Eleonora López was arrested on May 18, 2025, accused of aiding in embezzlement related to a former employer.
- She has been vocal against President Nayib Bukele's policies and demanded a public trial after being charged with illegal enrichment.
- The case highlights the concern over the use of emergency powers in El Salvador, raising issues of civil liberties and human rights.
In El Salvador, Ruth Eleonora López, an anticorruption lawyer from the prominent human rights organization Cristosal, was arrested at her home on May 18, 2025. The arrest came amidst a controversial state of emergency under President Nayib Bukele, which has been in place for more than three years and has been criticized for its broad application to cases beyond gang-related crimes. López is accused of aiding her former employer, who is facing prosecution for embezzlement, and charges of illegal enrichment were later brought against her. Notably, she has denied these charges and asserts they are politically motivated. The legal proceedings against López have raised concerns about due process and the transparency of her trial. Her initial court hearing occurred more than two weeks after her arrest, violating constitutional timeframes. Since the state of emergency allows authorities to hold individuals for extended periods without charges, critics argue that this could be a tactic to suppress dissent and silence voices opposing Bukele's governance. Human rights organizations and various observers have expressed alarm over the increasing use of these emergency powers. Moreover, President Bukele's administration has faced scrutiny for perceived authoritarianism, as he dismisses allegations of targeting human rights defenders and oppositional figures. In a recent address, he stated, "I don't care that they call me dictator," emphasizing a focus on results against corruption rather than adhering strictly to rights violations. Observers argue that López's case reflects the government's broader pattern of criminalizing dissenting opinions. The situation has sparked widespread outrage among human rights activists. U.N. Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor reiterated calls for López’s unconditional release, stressing the necessity for the government to uphold her rights to due process. The growing unrest indicates an ongoing struggle over human rights protection in El Salvador, particularly as heavy-handed tactics to combat crime lead to the restriction of civil liberties and increased penalties for alleged non-gang-related crimes. López's case will likely serve as a key focal point in discussions about governance and human rights in the country moving forward.