The 61-year-old former broadcaster appeared in court on Thursday to formally conclude his sentence after serving the entire term without early-release privileges. He originally confessed to diverting more than $300 million in public funds to individuals and his political party, leading to two consecutive five-year sentences. Additionally, while incarcerated in 2019, he received a concurrent sentence for bribing a court worker with $10,000 for case information.
Key points
The full completion of Saca's 10-year prison sentence concludes his required time behind…: The full completion of Saca's 10-year prison sentence concludes his required time behind bars without any early release.
Legal authorities previously secured a confession from Saca regarding the laundering of o…: Legal authorities previously secured a confession from Saca regarding the laundering of over $300 million in public funds.
Saca remains part of a prominent group of four Salvadoran presidents who have faced forma…: Saca remains part of a prominent group of four Salvadoran presidents who have faced formal corruption charges.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Elias Antonio Saca confessed to diverting over $300m in public funds during his presidency and took a plea bargain.
Elias Antonio Saca, the former president of El Salvador, has been released after serving a 10-year prison term for corruption.
Saca, 61, arrived at court to formally report his release on Thursday after fulfilling the terms of a plea deal in which he confessed to diverting and laundering more than $300m from public funds during his 2004 to 2009 administration.
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His lawyer, Mario Machado, said the former president had served his sentence in full without receiving early-release benefits.
Arrested at son’s wedding
Saca was first arrested during his son’s wedding in 2016 and was sentenced to five years for embezzlement and another five years for money laundering in September 2018.
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