- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
El Salvador activists acquitted after contentious trial
A court in El Salvador on Friday acquitted six former guerrillas, including five anti-mining campaigners, whose trial for a civil war era murder was criticized by fellow environmentalists as politicized.
Prosecutors had sought up to 36 years in prison for the former rebels of the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front.
But the judges acquitted them "due to the statute of limitations" and ordered their immediate release, defense lawyer Carolina Herrador told AFP after the hearing in the city of Sensuntepeque.
The court upheld arrest warrants for two other fugitive suspects, Herrador said.
Prosecutors accused the eight former guerrillas of killing a woman in 1989 because they suspected she was an army informant.
The five environmentalists campaigned for a ban on metal mining that was introduced in 2017 but which activists fear President Nayib Bukele wants to reverse.
"We never had any doubt about our innocence. Today we have come out with our heads held high. We were not mistaken about our innocence," Pedro Rivas, one of the environmentalists, told AFP.
Supporters outside the court shouted "freedom!" and greeted the activists with hugs.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and other experts expressed concern in a letter to Bukele's government after the 2023 arrests that the case was an attempt to intimidate environmentalists.
The activists' supporters argued that the speed of the trial contrasted with the lack of an investigation into massacres the military is accused of carrying out during the 1980-1992 civil war.
The case was motivated by "powerful political and economic interests" targeting opponents of mining, David Morales, of the non-governmental organization Cristosal, told AFP.
P.Martin--AMWN