El Salvador ex-defence minister denies arms trafficking
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – El Salvador’s former defence minister has denied prosecutors’ allegations that he used his position for arms trafficking.
Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, currently the country’s ambassador to Germany, met with prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office Thursday. He says he gave them his contact information and was ready to clear his name.
Prosecutors have asked the legislative assembly to lift his immunity so he can be formally charged. They allege he trafficked weapons from the military’s armouries and instructed subordinates to register arms that were later sold.
Benitez complained that he was being treated like a criminal on the word of a protected witness. Prosecutors say Benitez committed the crimes as vice-minister and later as minister of defence during the presidency of Mauricio Funes.
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