Ex-president of El Salvador arrested over fraud accusations

Elias Antonio Saca, president of El Salvador from 1999 until 2004, was arrested on accusations of fraud and money laundering on Sunday during his son's wedding. Photo courtesy of Elias Antonio Saca

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Oct. 31 (UPI) — Elias Antonio Saca, president of El Salvador from 1999 until 2004, and six others have been arrested over accusations of corruption, prosecutors said.

The others arrested Sunday along with Saca, 50, served as officials during his administration. In the past 16 years, there have been three presidents in El Salvador — all of whom are under investigation. Saca is accused of fraud and money laundering.

Saca’s successor, Mauricio Funes, is facing a civil action over allegedly illegally obtained funds found in his bank accounts. Francisco Flores, Saca’s predecessor, died from a stroke in January while awaiting trial on charges including embezzlement.

The arrest came as Saca was celebrating the wedding of his son, La Prensa Grafica reported.

“It is a pity that the prosecutor has failed to respect a moment of intimacy, as it was the wedding of the son of former President Saca,” Saca’s lawyer said.

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